The role of monoamine oxidase inhibitors in depression treatment guidelines.

Abstract

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) have proven efficacy for treating depression and for decades have been a preferred treatment for patients with atypical depression, high levels of anxiety, anergic bipolar depression, and treatment-resistant depression. However, MAOIs are infrequently used due to safety and tolerability concerns and the need for dietary restrictions. Current guidelines, which are reviewed here, recommend MAOIs as third-, fourth-, or fifth-line treatments due to these concerns. However, a transdermal formulation of selegiline limits the need for dietary restrictions and has fewer side effects than many more widely used antidepressants. The availability of a safer and more tolerable formulation gives clinicians another option in their armamentarium for treating depression.

• Authors: Michael E Thase
• Journal: The Journal of clinical psychiatry (J Clin Psychiatry) Vol. 73 Suppl 1 Pg. 10-6 ( 2012) ISSN: 1555-2101 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22951237 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © Copyright 2012 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

Topics

• Administration, Cutaneous
• Administration, Oral
• Antidepressive Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Cross-Cultural Comparison
• Depressive Disorder (diagnosis, drug therapy, psychology)
• Depressive Disorder, Major (diagnosis, drug therapy, psychology)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Interactions
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Food-Drug Interactions
• General Practice
• Humans
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Practice Guidelines as Topic
• Referral and Consultation
• Risk Factors
• Secondary Prevention
• Treatment Outcome