Monoamine oxidase inhibitors classification

Amphetamine [XXII) is a central stimulant and many would not classify it with the antidepressant drugs proper. It has, however, been extensively used in the treatment of depression, it produces euphoria and some at least of its actions may be due to inhibition of monoamine oxidase. However, it also inhibits dopamine- S-oxidase, impairs the noradrenaline binding capacity of the brain and has direct sympathomimetic activity. Its classification with the antidepressants seems, therefore, to be justified, but it is not included with the monoamine oxidase inhibitors, since only a small part of its action can be attributed to enzyme inhibition. Amphetamine is a potentially addictive drug and it should be used cautiously and over short periods of time. Other compounds which are used, if at all, only for the treatment of mild depression, include methylphenidate [XXIII), pipradol [Table 5.2) and deanol (XXIV). The last named compound is interesting since it may owe its effectiveness to a stimulant action on acetylcholine synthesis > . ... 

A. Classification and Pharmacokinetics The major classes of antidepressant drugs are shown in Figure 30-1 tricyclic antidepressants, heterocyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. 

Health Canada s Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) has concluded that daily use by healthy adults of p-synephrine at up to 50 mg, or up to 40 mg in combination with up to 320 mg of caffeine, would generally result in a Type III risk classification. This classification is defined to mean that such use "is not likely to cause any adverse health consequences." On the other hand, NHPD determined that products that contain p-synephrine but lack certain cautionary statements, identified as "contraindicated in children, pregnancy, and breast-feeding, do not use if you are taking blood pressure medications (either hypertensives or antihypertensives), thyroid medications, sympathomimetics, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors," would be subject to a Type II risk classification (meaning "the use of, or exposure to, such a product may cause temporary adverse hedth consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote") (Maries 2011). 

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