MAOIs

Most common: Phenelizine (Nardil)

Transcypromine (Parnate)

Rare: Isocarboxazid

Adverse effects: Orthostatic hypotension (initially marketed as anti-hypertensive agents)

Anxiety and restlessness

GI complaints

Insomnia

Myoclonic movements (jerking), especially at night

Peripheral neuropathy due to pyridoxine deficiency

Rare hepatotoxicity with phenelzine

Prolonged effects of anesthetics, sedatives, antihistamines, and alcohol

Important things to know about MAOIs are the various serious toxicity syndromes associated with them. They are relatively rare, but potentially fatal.

1. Serotonergic Crisis (aka Serotonin Syndrome); you can get this by drug combinations other than just MAOIs, but with MAOIs it is more classic and more severe.

2. Noradrenergic Crisis (aka Hypertensive Crisis)

Category: Pharmacology Notes