Monoamine oxidase inhibitors interaction with other drugs

Blackwell, B. (1991) Monoamine oxidase inhibitor interactions with other drugs. / Clin Psychopharmacol 11 55-59. 

SSRIs can provoke 5HT neurotoxicity (the 5HT syndrome) through pharmacodynamic interactions with other drugs that also potentiate 5HT function. Often the ability of the interacting drug to facilitate 5HT function is well known, as is the case, for example, when SSRIs are combined with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or lithium. In other cases, however, the potential 5HT activity of the co-administered drug is not widely known. The ability of the antibiotic linezolid to inhibit MAO and thereby to cause 5HT neurotoxicity in combination with SSRIs has been noted previously (SEDA-27, 14), and further cases have now been reported. 

All SSRIs have common 5-HT agonistic effects and because of this, SSRIs have common interactions and side effects. SSRIs are potent inhibitors of serotonin reuptake by CNS neurons and may interact with other drugs such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or circumstances which cause serotonin release. A minimum 2 weeks wash-out period should be observed between stopping a MAOI and starting an SSRI. Conversely, a MAOI should not be started for at least 1 week after an SSRI has been stopped, 5 weeks after fluoxetine, and 2 weeks for paroxetine and sertraline. Escitalopram and citalopram are hypersensitive to each other. 

Antidepressants are considered to have additive effects, therefore combined use is not recommended. Inhibitors of serotonin reuptake by CNS neurons may interact with other drugs or circumstances which cause serotonin release. The enhancement of the serotonergic effects may produce a life-threatening serotonin syndrome. Drugs which can increase the serotonin level when taken in combination with SSRIs include TCAs, MAOIs, reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase, carbamazepine, lithium, or serotoneric substances. These drugs should not be coadministered with SSRIs and they may increase the risks of developing a serotonin syndrome. 

The hypotensive effects of most antihypertensive dru are increased when administered with diuretics and other antihypertensives. Many dnigp can interact with the antihypertensive drugs and decrease their effectiveness (eg, antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, antihistamines, and sympathomimetic bronchodilators). When the ACE inhibitors are administered with the NSAIDs, their antihypertensive effect may be decreased. Absorption of the ACE inhibitors may be decreased when administered with the antacids. Administration of potassium-sparing diuretics or potassium supplements concurrently with the ACE inhibitors may cause hyperkalemia. When the angiotensin II receptor agonists are administered with... 

Although many patients believe that dietary supplements will not interact with medications, recent literature suggests otherwise. Recently, many St. John s wort-drug interactions have been reported in the literature. Cases of patients developing symptoms of serotonin syndrome have been reported with St. John s wort alone and in concomitant therapy with other antidepressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and venlafaxine. St. John s wort may exacerbate the sedative effects of benzodiazepines, alcohol, narcotics, and other sedatives. St. John s wort may decrease the levels of protease inhibitors, cyclosporine, digoxin, and theophylline. 

A growing number of drugs are used that affect the many neurotransmitters in the brain benzodiazepines and others act on GABAergic transmission antidepressants, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants, are thought to increase the concentration of transmitter amines in the brain and so elevate mood—these will also act at peripheral nerve terminals, so interactions with them are a combination of peripheral and central actions. Levodopa (L-dopa) increases central as well as peripheral dopamine, and the newer class of psychoactive drugs, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) of which the ubiquitous fluoxetine (Prozac) is best known, act in a similar way on serotonergic pathways. 

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, tranylcypromine, phenelzine) are a group of older antidepressants that are occasionally used for resistant depression. They can cause severe hypertensive reactions when interacting foods or drugs are taken (see Chapter 9 Adrenoceptor-Activating Other Sympathomimetic Drugs) and they can interact with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). 

As with other sympathomimetic agents, theoretical drug interactions with ephedra alkaloids are possible. Despite this potential, only a handful of adverse drug interactions have been reported. This is especially pertinent when considering the extensive use of both ephedra-containing supplements and ephedrine- or pseudoephedrine-containing OTC products. The most notable interaction exists between nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitors and ephedra- or ephedrine-containing products. 

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. 

Drug Interactions Barbiturates combine with other CNS depressants to cause severe depression ethanol is the most frequent offender, and interactions with first-generation antihistamines also are common. Isoniazid, methylphenidate, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors also increase the CNS-depressant effects. Other prominent drag interactions occin as a result of the induction of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes by barbiturates see above). 

Many other infrequent symptoms and abnormal laboratory findings have been associated with levodopa treatment. Metabolites cause the urine to turn reddish and then black. Many drug interactions are possible few are confirmed, but this possibility should be watched. Some monoamine oxidase inhibitors reported effective in Parkinson s disease caused hypertensive reactions in combination with levodopa, but tricyclic antidepressants... 

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors Linezolid is a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase and can cause drug-drug interactions when it is combined with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, monoamines such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, tyramine-containing foods, and other serotonergic agents. Several cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported... 

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