What are MAOIs?
MAOIs - monoamine oxidase inhibitors - are old generation
antidepressants, Parnate (tranylcypromine) and Nardil (phenelzine) being
the best known. They work by blocking the enzyme monoamine oxidase,
which allows the neurotransmitters to function as usual. Side effects
can be very burdensome, which make these drugs a last option. These
include an outside risk of hypertension, which necessitates extreme
dietary restrictions. Some psychiatrists, however, believe these drugs
work particularly well for atypical depression, and should be regarded
as a viable treatment option. Somerset Pharmaceuticals is experimenting
with Seligeline as a transdermal patch that is not supposed to have the
usual MAOI side effects.