How Do Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors Work?
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are a class of drugs used to treat depression. They are also referred to as MAO Inhibitors or MAOIs. Although they are effective, they have many side effects, and can interact with many other drugs and foods. MAOIs have fallen out of favor due to the development of medications with fewer side effects and interactions. Selegiline and rasagiline, two newer forms of MAOIs with fewer side effects, are used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. MAOIs used for depression include phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
