Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

Conditions treated with MAOIs

Conditions known to be effectively treated with MAOIs include panic disorder, social phobia and depression with atypical features (characterized by oversleeping and overeating).

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are often used to treat the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Patients with Parkinson’s disease experience destruction of the brain cells that produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is essential for movement. MAOIs help prevent the breakdown of dopamine, enabling what little dopamine that is produced to stay in the brain for longer. Some experts believe that type B MAOIs may also help slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease, but this has not been conclusively established with medical research.

Other neurological disorders that may benefit from MAOI treatment include:

• Multiple system atrophy (MSA). A neurodegenerative disease characterized by symptoms that affect movement, blood pressure and other body functions. MAOIs are used to treat low blood pressure associated with this condition.
• Cataplexy. A sudden loss of muscle tone or strength often associated with narcolepsy. Antidepressant medications such as MAOIs often help reduce cataplexy.
• Dopa responsive dystonia (DRD). Genetic disorder most often diagnosed in children between the ages of 6 and 16. It often is evident in a patient’s manner of walking, which may be stiff-legged. Like Parkinson’s disease, it is caused by damage to cells that produce dopamine.
• Hypersomnia. Condition in which a person experiences excessive sleepiness. In some cases, hypersomnia is the result of neurological damage, which may be treated using MAOIs.
• Panic disorder. Condition in which patients experience frequent panic attacks, which are episodes of intense fear that unfold within minutes. MAOIs appear to reduce anxiety in patients with this condition.

MAOIs are still used to treat some forms of depression and anxiety. However, because of their potential for severe side effects, they are usually prescribed only if other types of antidepressants fail to alleviate symptoms.

MAOIs Contraindications

Patients may not be good candidates for some types of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) treatment if they have been diagnosed with certain neurological conditions, such as epilepsy. MAOIs may increase the occurrence of seizures in people with epilepsy. Other conditions that may preclude the use of MAOIs include the following:

• Alcoholism
• Angina (chest pain)
• Severe or frequent headaches
• Diabetes
• Heart or blood vessel disease
• Kidney or liver disease
• History of recent heart attack or stroke
• Overactive thyroid
• Pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor that may cause hypertension)

It is important for patients to provide a complete family medical history. This should include information on whether other family members have ever had depression or other psychiatric disorders, or if the patient or any members of the patient’s family have ever attempted suicide.

Potential side effects of MAOIs

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can cause adverse hypertensive (high blood pressure) reactions that may have serious health consequences.

The amino acid tyramine is found in the body and helps to regulate blood pressure. However, certain foods, beverages and medications also contain tyramine. Use of MAOIs prevents tyramine from being broken down in the body. If patients taking MAOIs also consume foods and/or beverages containing tyramine, the tyramine will be absorbed into the body, reaching high levels in the blood. This can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure (hypertensive reaction) that could trigger a stroke (cerebral hemorrhage). This is rare, but in extreme cases it could cause the patient’s death.

Eating foods high in the amino acid tyramine — especially aged and fermented foods — can trigger this reaction. Since the tyramine content in foods may increase as they age, foods should be eaten when they are freshest, and leftovers and foods prepared hours earlier should be avoided. Foods that are high in tyramine and should not be consumed during MAOI therapy (and for two weeks afterward) include:

Certain foods and beverages may be safe for people taking MAOIs when eaten in moderation (e.g., fresh bread, caffeine, avocados, bananas). However, a physician should be consulted before consuming any of the foods that contain tyramine.

Patients should seek immediate medical care if they experience a severe, pounding headache in the lower back of the skull, which may indicate a hypertensive reaction. Other symptoms associated with this type of hypertensive reaction include sweating, palpitations and increased blood pressure (which can be detected with a home blood pressure kit).

A newer MAOI that is currently being studied called moclobemide may have a lower risk of triggering hypertensive reactions. Further, a transdermal (skin patch) formulation called selegiline that considerably reduces the risk of tyramine reaction and lessens the dietary restrictions of MAOI treatment, has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Patients using the lowest available doses of the selegiline patch (6 milligrams per 24 hours) do not have to restrict their diets as they would if they were taking MAOIs in tablet form or receiving higher doses of the drug.

Patients should be aware that a physician might need to adjust the dosage or change medications to achieve the best results with minimal side effects. In addition, the FDA has advised that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking in some patients and all people being treated with them should be monitored closely for unusual changes in behavior. For more information, see antidepressants.

Other common side effects that may occur with MAOI use include sedation, insomnia, agitation, confusion, orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure that occurs when moving from sitting or lying to standing), edema (excess accumulation of fluid), constipation, nausea, fatigue, dry mouth, decreased urine output, decreased sexual function, muscle twitching, increased appetite and weight gain, blurred vision, trembling and increased perspiration. Patients using the selegiline transdermal patch may experience slight redness or a mild rash at the site where the skin patch was applied.

Drug or other interactions

Patients should consult their physicians before taking any additional prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements or herbal medications.

Use of sympathomimetic drugs (stimulate part of the autonomic nervous system) such as decongestants can cause a hypertensive reaction. Patients should avoid any cold, sinus and allergy medications containing the ingredients pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine or phenylpropanolamine. They should also avoid the following during MAOI therapy and for two weeks afterward:

• Amphetamines
• Antidiabetic agents
• Antihypertensive medications
• Buspirone (anti-anxiety drug)
• Diet medications
• Disulfiram (alcohol addiction drug)
• Isoproterenol (bronchodilator)
• Levodopa (Parkinson’s disease drug)
• Local anesthetic drugs containing ephedrine or cocaine
• Meperidine (analgesic sometimes used with anesthesia)
• Methylphenidate (central nervous system stimulant)
• Carbamazepine (anti-seizure drug)
• Herbal medications (e.g., St. John’s wort)

MAOIs should not be taken with other antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Combining MAOIs with other antidepressants can lead to serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal condition marked by fever, confusion, fluctuations in heart rhythms and blood pressure, increased perspiration, muscle rigidity, seizures, and problems with the liver or kidneys.

Patients who switch from using MAOIs to using another antidepressant are usually required to allow at least 14 days to elapse before beginning therapy with the new drug. Similar caution must be exercised when switching from another antidepressant to MAOI therapy.

Patients taking MAOIs should avoid elective surgery requiring general anesthesia. MAOIs should be discontinued at least 10 days prior to elective surgery.

Patients using the selegiline transdermal patch should not use oral selegiline or other MAOIs.

Lifestyle considerations

Because of the risk of experiencing serious hypertensive side effects, patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are generally advised to carry identification cards or to wear identification bracelets that indicate that they are taking these medications. Patients also should inform a physician that they are taking MAOIs before receiving any medications or anesthetics. Patients undergoing dental procedures should also inform their dentist of MAOI use.

Pregnancy use issues

Women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant and women who are breastfeeding should consult with a physician before using monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Some studies have indicated that MAOIs may cause an increased rate of birth defects when taken during the first three months of pregnancy. In animal studies, these drugs caused a slowing of growth and an increase in excitability in newborns when administered in large doses.

Tranylcypromine passes into breast milk, but it is unknown whether or not phenelzine or isocarboxazid also pass into breast milk.

Child use issues

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are not recommended to be taken by children under the age of 16 since there are no controlled studies of safety in this age group. Certain antidepressants, notably selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are usually the medications prescribed to treat depression in children. In recent years, there has been speculation that antidepressants use may increase the risk of suicidal thinking in children. As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that all children using antidepressants should be closely monitored for unusual behavior.

Child use issues

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) generally should not be taken by adults over the age of 60. Older patients who take MAOIs are especially likely to experience dizziness or lightheadedness.