Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
(Redirected from MAO inhibitors)
[[File:Script error: No such module "InfoboxImage".|frameless|alt=]]
| Class identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | |
| Synonyms | |
| Use | Treatment of depression |
| ATC code | N06 |
| Mode of action | |
| Mechanism of action | Inhibition of MAO, preventing the breakdown of monoamine neurotransmitters |
| Biological target | Monoamine oxidase (MAO) |
| Chemical class | |
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of drugs that inhibit the activity of one or both monoamine oxidase enzymes: monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). They are best known for their use in the treatment of depression, but they can also be effective for anxiety disorders, Parkinson's disease, and several other conditions.
Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]
MAOIs act by inhibiting the activity of monoamine oxidase, thus preventing the breakdown of monoamine neurotransmitters and thereby increasing their availability. There are two isoforms of monoamine oxidase, MAO-A and MAO-B. MAO-A preferentially deaminates serotonin, melatonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. The action of MAO-B mainly affects dopamine and phenethylamine.
Uses[edit | edit source]
MAOIs have been found to be effective in the treatment of a variety of conditions including:
- Depression: MAOIs appear particularly effective in the treatment of atypical depression.
- Anxiety disorders: They can also be used in the treatment of anxiety disorders such as panic disorder and social anxiety disorder.
- Parkinson's disease: MAO-B inhibitors are used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Side Effects and Interactions[edit | edit source]
MAOIs can cause a number of side effects, including hypertension and serotonin syndrome. They can interact with a variety of foods and other drugs; in particular, they should not be combined with other antidepressants, certain pain killers, or certain kinds of food like aged cheeses and cured meats, as these can lead to a hypertensive crisis.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Monoamine oxidase inhibitor Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
