Medicines MAOIs

The term pasaon flower is used to denote many of the approximately 400 species of the herb. F saon flower has been used in medicine to treat pain, anxiety, and insomnia. Some herbalists use the herb to treat symptoms of parkinsonism. F saon flower is often used in combination with other herbs , such a valerian, chamomile, and hops, for promoting relaxation, rest and sleep. Although no adverse reactions have been reported, large doses may cause CNS depression. The use of passion flower is contraindicated in pregnancy and in patientstaking the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Fission flower contains coumarin, and the risk of bleeding may be increased when used in patientstaking warfarin and pasaon flower. 

The answer is that there are two ways in which neurotransmitter levels might be increased. One is to inhibit their destruction after they have been released into the synaptic gap. That is how MAOIs are supposed to work. Recall, however, that after a neurotransmitter is released, some of its molecules are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron that released them in a process that is called reuptake . Blocking this reuptake process should also increase the level of neuro transmitters in the brain. In 1961, Julius Axelrod, who later received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work on the release and reuptake of neurotransmitters, reported that imipramine, as well as a few other drugs, inhibited the reuptake of norepinephrine in cats. Two years later he reported that these drugs also inhibited the reuptake of serotonin.13... 

The main limitation to the clinical use of the MAOIs is due to their interaction with amine-containing foods such as cheeses, red wine, beers (including non-alcoholic beers), fermented and processed meat products, yeast products, soya and some vegetables. Some proprietary medicines such as cold cures contain phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, etc. and will also interact with MAOIs. Such an interaction (termed the "cheese effect"), is attributed to the dramatic rise in blood pressure due to the sudden release of noradrenaline from peripheral sympathetic terminals, an event due to the displacement of noradrenaline from its mtraneuronal vesicles by the primary amine (usually tyramine). Under normal circumstances, any dietary amines would be metabolized by MAO in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, in the liver, platelets, etc. The occurrence of hypertensive crises, and occasionally strokes, therefore limited the use of the MAOIs, despite their proven clinical efficacy, to the treatment of atypical depression and occasionally panic disorder. 

Pheneizine The efficacy of both reversible and irreversible MAOIs for the treatment of PTSD has been studied in controlled trials. Phenelzine has been shown to be superior to placebo and imipramine in patients with chronic PTSD who had a very low placebo response ( 271, 283). Thus, we believe phenelzine is worth trying for patients who can adhere to dietary and medicinal restrictions. 

Q8 A pregnancy test is necessary because hypertension is a feature of preeclampsia, a serious condition which can occur in pregnancy and which threatens the life of both mother and foetus. Also, many antihypertensive drugs are contraindicated in pregnancy. It is necessary to know whether the patient is taking prescribed medicines or is self-medicating, as some drugs, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), can interact with dietary components to cause a very rapid rise in BP. 

The ephedra alkaloids are all sympathomimetic amines, which means that a host of drug interactions are theoretically possible. In fact, only a handful of adverse drug interactions have been reported in the peer-reviewed literature. The most important of these involve the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI). Irreversible, nonselective MAOIs have been reported to adversely interact with indirectly acting sympathomimetic amines present in many cough and cold medicine. In controlled trials with individuals taking moclobemide, ephedrine s effects on pulse and blood pressure were potentiated, but only at higher doses than those currently provided in health supplements (137). Ephe-drine-MAOI interaction may, on occasion, be severe enough to mimic pheo-... 

MAOI and SSRI are acronyms for two types of antidepression medication. MAOI stands for monoamine oxidase inhibitor. MAOIs must be prescribed and used with caution because they tend to dangerously interact with other types of drugs.Today, other forms of antidepressants are usually prescribed for depression patients first. If those medicines do not work, MAOIs are sometimes used with caution. People taking MAOIs have to restrict their diets and watch what other drugs and medicines they take in order to prevent interactions. SSRI, an antidepressant that is more commonly used, stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.They are generally able to be tolerated by more people and can be used for more minor depressive illnesses. 

Interactions of MAOIs with other sympathomimetic drugs are well known. The increased neuronal stores of NE represent a booby-trap hazard that can easily be triggered by indirectly acting adrenergic agents such as the amphetamines found in many antiobesity preparations. Drugs such as ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, and phenylephrine are potentially more dangerous because of their ready availability to the public in over-the-counter medications such as cold medicines and nose drops. 

Discontinue in the event of seizures or agitation. Do not take if you have high biood pressure, hyperthyroidism, recent heart attack, marked anxiety, giaucoma, tics, Tourette s syndrome in you or your famiiy, psychosis, epiiepsy, or substance abuse. Monitor biood pressure and compiete biood counts, inciuding differentiai and piateiets. May interact with MAOis taken within two weeks, anticonvuisants, anti-coaguiants, antidepressants, and other medicines that lower or raise blood pressure. 

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