Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of medications prescribed for the treatment of depression. They are particularly effective in treating atypical depression.

Because of potentially lethal dietary and drug interactions, monoamine oxidase inhibitors have historically been reserved as a last line of treatment, used only when other classes of antidepressant drugs (for example selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants) have failed. A transdermal patch form of the MAOI selegiline, called Emsam, was approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States on February 28, 2006.

New research into MAOIs indicate that much of the concern over its dangerous dietary side effects stems from misconceptions and misinformation, and that despite proven effectiveness of this class of drugs, it is underutilized and misunderstood in the medical profession. New research also questions the validity of the perceived severity of dietary reactions, which has historically been based on outdated research.