MAOI Antidepressants

Question 1

Phenelzine (Nardil)

Answer 1

Side effects: orthostatic hypotension, somnolence, weight gain

Half life: 4-5hr

Comments: all cheese, fermented or aged foods, wine, and liver should be avoided. don’t co-administer with SSRIs; or with drugs that increase intrasynaptic levels of amine neurotransmitters.

Question 2

Isocarbaxozid (Marplan)

Answer 2

Side effects: orthostatic hypotension, somnolence, weight gain

Half life: 2.5hr

Comments: all cheese, fermented or aged foods, wine, and liver should be avoided. don’t co-administer with SSRIs; or with drugs that increase intrasynaptic levels of amine neurotransmitters.

Question 3

Selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam)

Answer 3

Side effects: orthostatic hypotension, somnolence, weight gain, irritation at site of patch

Half life: 2hr

Comments: transdermal delivery is available for use in depression - also used to treat parkinson’s. all cheese, fermented or aged foods, wine, and liver should be avoided. don’t co-administer with SSRIs; or with drugs that increase intrasynaptic levels of amine neurotransmitters.

Question 4

Tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Answer 4

Side effects: orthostatic hypotension, somnolence, weight gain

Half life: 2-3hr

Comments: all cheese, fermented or aged foods, wine, and liver should be avoided. don’t co-administer with SSRIs; or with drugs that increase intrasynaptic levels of amine neurotransmitters.