Antidepressants- MAOIs

Question 1

What are 2 examples of MAOI’s?

Answer 1

• Tranylcypromine
• Phenelzine

Question 2

What are MAOIs used for?

Answer 2

Resistant Depression

Question 3

Why are MAOIs not commonly used?

Answer 3

Adverse effects

Question 4

What is the main adverse reaction of MAOI’s?

Answer 4

Hypertensive crisis

Question 5

What is another name for the hypertensive crisis that can occur when taking MAOIs?

Answer 5

Cheese reaction

Question 6

How does the cheese reaction develop?

Answer 6

It develops when MAOI’s are taken with tyramine-rich foods (cheese) or sympathomimetics

Question 7

What is the mechanism of MAOIs?

Answer 7

They bind irreversibly to monoamine oxidase

They thereby prevent the inactivation of amines such as norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin

Question 8

What are possible side effects of MAOIs?

Answer 8

• Orthostatic hypotension
• Weight gain
• Dry mouth
• Sedation
• Sexual dysfunction
• Sleep disturbance

Question 9

What syndrome can MAOIs cause?

Answer 9

Serotonin syndrome

Question 10

How can you avoid serotonin syndrome when switching from an SSRI to an MAOI?

Answer 10

Wait 2 weeks before switching from SSRI to MAOI

Wait 5 weeks for fluoxetine as longer half life