Tranylcypromine Isocarboxazid

Examples of monoamine oxidase inhibitors are phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid and mo-clobemide. They are indicated for atypical depression. Changes in the neurotransmitter levels are seen in several days but the clinical effect may lag by several weeks. Phenelzine is a non-selective hydrazine-type monoamine oxidase inhibitor while the also non-selective inhibitor tranylcypromine is of the non-hydrazine-type. Phenelzine, tranylcypromine and isocarboxazid are irreversible inhibitors. Phenelzine is partly metabolized by acetylation and slow acetylators are more prone to toxicity. It has anxiolytic properties and superior efficiacy in treating severe anxiety. 

SELECTIVE MAO-B INHIBITORS Two isozymes of MAO (MAO-A and MAO-B) oxidize monoamines and both are present in the periphery and GI tract MAO-B is the predominant form in the striatum and is responsible for most of the oxidative metabolism of dopamine in the brain. At low-to-moderate doses (10 mg/day or less), selegiline (eldepryl) selectively and irreversibly inhibits MAO-B. Unlike nonspecific inhibitors of MAO (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid), selegiline does not inhibit peripheral metabolism of catecholamines and can be taken safely with levodopa. Selegihne does not cause the lethal potentiation of indirectly acting sympathomimetic amines such as dietary tyramine. Doses of selegiline higher than 10 mg daily can produce inhibition of MAO-A and should be avoided. 

MAO inhibitors (MAOIs) These drugs (eg, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid) are stmcturally related to amphetamines and are orally active. They inhibit both MAO-A (which metabolizes norepinephrine, serotonin, and tyramine) and MAO-B (which metabolizes dopamine). Tranylcypromine is the fastest in onset of effect but has a shorter duration of action (about a week) than do other MAO inhibitors (with durations of 2-3 weeks). In spite of these prolonged actions, the MAO inhibitors are given daily. These drugs are inhibitors of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes and cause many drug interactions. 

Monoamine—Oxidase Inhibitors. In the mid-1950s, tuberculosis patients with depression being treated with iproniazid (42) were occasionally reported to become euphoric. This observation led to the discovery of irreversible monoamine—oxidase (MAO) inhibiting properties. Hydrazine and nonhydrazine-related MAO inhibitors were subsequentiy shown to be antidepressants (122). Three other clinically effective irreversible MAO inhibitors have been approved for treatment of major depression phenelzine (43), isocarboxazid (44), and tranylcypromine (45). 

With the exception of tranylcypromine (a phenylcycloalkylamine), the first MAOIs (e.g. iproniazid, isoniazid, phenelzine, isocarboxazid) were derivatives of hydrazine (originally used as a rocket fuel) (Fig. 20.2). All are irreversible inhibitors of the enzyme and restoration of MAO activity requires the synthesis of new enzyme. 

With most psychedelics, their activity can probably be considerably enhanced by prior (or possibly concomitant) use of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (e.g., isocarboxazid (Marplan), nialamide (Niamid), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate)). Some compounds (e.g., DMT) which have no oral activity, can probably become orally active. These compounds are often prescribed as antidepressants, but it is not a good idea to use them frequently or in large doses. For antidotes to the hallucinogens see Amer. J. Hosp. Pharm. 30,80(1973). 

Increased bilirubin levels are caused due to the intake of large doses of such drugs as chloroquine, vitamin K, sulpha-drugs, tetracyclines, paracetamol, nicotinic acid and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g., iproniazid RP 1.0 nialamide RP 1.8 isocarboxazid RP 3.1 phenelzine RP 18 pheniprazine RP31 and tranylcypromine RP 45), where RP designates the Relative Potency based on the tiyptamine potentiation test. The elevated levels are due to hepatic injury, and... 

There are four classes of antidepressants tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine, trimipramine, amitriptyline, doxepin, desipramine, protriptyline, nortriptyline, amoxapine, maprotiline) monoaminooxidase (MAO) inhibitors (phenelzine, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine) second-generation antidepressants or atypical antidepressants, which are a chemically dissimilar group of recently proposed drugs (bupropion, trazodone, fluoxetine) and amphetamines and other stimulators of the CNS (dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate). 

Withdrawal. Withdrawal may be associated with nausea, vomiting, and malaise. Coexisting symptoms Tranylcypromine and isocarboxazid may aggravate coexisting symptoms in depression, such as anxiety and agitation. 

Hyperthyroid patients Use tranylcypromine and isocarboxazid cautiously because of increased sensitivity to pressor amines. 

Drug abuse and dependence There have been reports of drug dependency in patients using doses of tranylcypromine and isocarboxazid significantly in excess of the therapeutic range. 

MAOI agents was synthesized and tested for antidepressant properties. Three MAOI agents are approved in the United States for use in major depression isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). 

Isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine are irreversible nonselective inhibitors of both MAO-A and MAO-B. However, it appears that inhibition of MAO-A, not MAO-B, is important to the antidepressant action of these agents. 

In the United States, the three MAOIS available for the treatment of psychiatric conditions are phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan). All three agents have indications for adult major depression (>16 years old) and, more specifically, atypical depression (anergia, hypersomnia, hy-perphagia, somatization, and anxiety symptoms). Although not indicated for anxiety, the MAOIs can also be particularly helpful in treatment of these disorders. Selegiline or L-deprenyl (Eldepryl) is also available in the United States and indicated for symptoms of Parkinson s disease and depression. 

Structurally, all MAOIs are either hydralazines or nonhydralazines. Iproniazid, the first MAOI used for depression, is a hydralazine. There are currently two hydralazines available, phenelzine and isocarboxazid. Tranylcypromine is a nonhydralazine with a unique structure. Although tranylcypromine is considered to be a reversible inhibitor of MAO, clinically, the return of normal enzymatic activity is delayed, similar to phe-... 

In adults, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and isocarboxazid are rapidly absorbed and have short half-lives, requiring more than once-a-day dosing. For example, the half-life of phenelzine ranges from 1.5 to 4 hours and the half-life for tranylcypromine ranges from 1.54 to 3.15 hours (Mallinger and Smith, 1991). 

Iproniazic was the first widely prescribed MAOI. Realization that this drug can produce rare but dangerous liver toxicity led to the synthesis of the other hydrazine MAOIs, such as isocarboxazid, nialamide, and phenelzine, as well as the nonhydrazine MAOIs, tranylcypromine, and pargyline. 

Most presently available MAOIs are irreversible inhibitors of the enzyme, forming a chemical bond with part of the enzyme or the flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor. When treatment is stopped, inhibition continues for a time until MAO levels return to normal as the new enzyme is synthesized. Thus, phenelzine, isocarboxazid, and tranylcypromine are all irreversible, nonselective MAOIs. Clorgyline, however, is an irreversible, selective MAO-A inhibitor moclobemide is a reversible, selective MAOI l-deprenyl and pargyline are relatively selective, irreversible MAO-B inhibitors. 

If a patient does not respond to one MAO I, or if there appears to be a loss of efficacy over time, it may be reasonable to try a second. When switching from a hydrazine-based MAOl (e.g., phenelzine or isocarboxazid) to a nonhydrazine MAOl (e.g., tranylcypromine), one should wait at least 2 weeks. This is because the nonhydrazine MAOl, tranylcypromine, produces NE uptake inhibitory and sympathomimetic effects similar to dextroamphetamine and may cause a toxic reaction if initiated within 2 weeks following MAO inhibition by another agent (261). 

The enzyme, monoamine oxidase, exists in two forms MAO-A (intestinal mucosa and intraneuronally in the brain) and MAO-B (platelets and mainly extraneuronally in the brain). Serotonin is preferentially metabolised by MAO-A and noradrenaline (NA norepinephrine), and dopamine and lyramine by both forms. The first generation MAOI antidepressants (phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and isocarboxazid) inhibit both MAO-A and MAO-B and are thought to work by increasing the availability of 5-HT and NA in the synapse—with longer-term adaptive effects occurring as for the TCAs. These MAOls are irreversible, i.e. they permanently inactivate MAO. Thus, recovery of activity occurs slowly, over days, as new MAO molecules are synthesised. 

Current MAOIs include the hydrazine derivatives phenelzine and isocarboxazid and the non-hydrazines tranylcypromine, selegiline, and moclobemide (the latter is not available in the USA). The hydrazines and tranylcypromine bind irreversibly and nonselectively with MAO-A and -B, whereas other MAOIs may have more selective or reversible properties. Some of the MAOIs such as tranylcypromine resemble amphetamine in chemical structure, whereas other MAOIs such as selegiline have amphetamine-like metabolites. As a result, these MAOIs tend to have substantial CNS-stimulating effects. 

Classical MAO inhibitors—irreversible and nonselective phenelzine (Nardil) tranylcypromine (Parnate) isocarboxazid (Marplan)... 

The monoamine oxidase inhibitors are used occasionally to treat depression. The hydrazine derivatives consist of isocarboxazid (Marplan) and phenelizine sulfate (Nardil). The nonhydrazine derivatives include tranylcypromine (Parnate). 

OFFICIAL NAMES Amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), bupropion (Wellbutrin), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), fluoxetine (Prozac), imipramine (Norfranil, Tofranil), isocarboxazid (Marplan), maprotiline (Ludiomil), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), phenelzine (Nardil), protriptyline (Vivactil), sertraline (Zoloft), thioridazine (Mellaril), tranylcypromine (Parnate), trazodone (Desyrel), trimipramine (Sur-montil), venlafaxine (Effexor) the herb St. John s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is sold over-the-counter without prescription STREET NAMES Happy pills... 

Because of neurotoxicity and overdose concerns, 2C-B may have potentially dangerous interactions with users taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). MAOIs are most commonly found in the prescription antidepressants Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), Eldepryl (1-deprenyl), and Aurorex or Manerix (moclobemide). Ayahuasca also contains MAOIs (harmine and harmaline). 

Patients should not use dextromethorphan if they are taking any drug in the class known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), including phenelzine (Nardil), isocarboxazid (Marplan), and tranylcypromine (Parnate), which are used in the treatment of depression. The combination of MAOIs with dextromethorphan can lead to toxic levels of dextromethorphan in the blood. 

C-B should not be taken by persons who use a specific category of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. These include phenelzine (Nardil), isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and moclobemide (Aurorix, Manerix). It also should not be used by diabetics. 

These two classes of drugs are subject to life-threatening interactions (e.g., mania, convulsions, hypertension, heart arrythmias) with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such as isocarboxazide, phenelzine, selegiline, and tranylcypromine, because they inhibit the metabolism of serotonin and sympathomimetic amines (19,120). This interaction is one of the earliest toxic drug-drug interactions to be recognized however, these interactions are not often observed because the MAO inhibitors are now used sparingly. 

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is a mitochondrial enzyme found in neural and other tissues, such as the gut and liver. In the neuron, MAO functions as a safety valve to oxidatively deaminate and inactivate any excess neurotransmitter molecules (norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin) that may leak out of synaptic vesicles when the neuron is at rest. The MAO inhibitors may irreversibly or reversibly inactivate the enzyme, permitting neurotransmitter molecules to escape degradation and therefore to both accumulate within the presynaptic neuron and to leak into the synaptic space. This causes activation of norepinephrine and serotonin receptors, and may be responsible for the antidepressant action of these drugs. Three MAO inhibitors are currently available for treatment of depression phenelzine [FEN el zeen], isocarboxazid [eye soe kar BOX a zid], and tranylcypromine [tran ill SIP roe meen] no one drug is a prototype. Use of MAO inhibitors is now limited because of the complicated dietary restrictions required of patients taking MAO inhibitors. 

Insomnia and daytime somnolence and fatigue have been reported with tranylcypromine, phenelzine, and isocarboxazid (SEDA-16, 8 SEDA-17, 16). In a comparison... 

Leukopenia and agranulocytosis are well-recognized complications of treatment with tricyclic antidepressants and have been reported with some second-generation compounds. In a report of leukopenia in a patient taking phenelzine attention was drawn to five other unpublished cases and to previous published reports involving isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine, and tryptaminc (25). 

The literature on a withdrawal syndrome (SEDA-10, 17) has been expanded by further reports. One of these (33) involved the development of an acute toxic delirium 3 days after withdrawal of phenelzine, and another (34) concerned patients who became manic after withdrawal of isocarboxazid. A withdrawal state similar to that caused by withdrawal from amphetamines has been described after withdrawal of tranylcypromine (SEDA-16, 8) (SEDA-18,14). 

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