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. 1990 Jun;36:1151–1155.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors: Clinical Review

Ronald A Remick, Colleen Froese
PMCID: PMC2280482  PMID: 21233984

Abstract

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are effective antidepressant agents. They are increasingly and effectively used in a number of other psychiatric and non-psychiatric medical syndromes. Their potential for serious toxicity (i.e., hypertensive reaction) is far less than original reports suggest, and newer reversible substrate-specific MAOIs may offer even less toxicity. The author reviews the pharmacology, mechanism of action, clinical indications, and dosing strategies of MAOIs. The common MAOI side-effects (hypotension, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, daytime sedation, myoclonus, and hypertensive episodes) are described and management techniques suggested. Recent clinical developments involving MAOIs are outlined.

Keywords: antidepressants, family medicine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, mood disorders, pharmacologic agents, psychiatry

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Selected References

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