mental health disorders
Medications for Treatment of Depression
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are very effective but are rarely prescribed except when other antidepressants have not worked. People who use MAOIs must adhere to a number of dietary restrictions and take special precautions to avoid a serious reaction involving a sudden, severe rise in blood pressure with a severe, throbbing headache (hypertensive crisis). This crisis can cause a stroke. Precautions include Not eating foods or beverages that contain tyramine, such as beer on tap, red wines (including sherry), liqueurs, overripe foods, salami, aged cheeses, fava or broad beans, yeast extracts (marmite), canned figs, raisins, yogurt, cheese, sour cream, pickled herring, caviar, liver, extensively tenderized meats, and soy sauce Not takingpseudoephedrine, contained in many over-the-counter cough and cold remedies Not takingdextromethorphan(a cough suppressant),reserpine(an antihypertensive medication), ormeperidine(an analgesic) Carrying an antidote, such aschlorpromazinetablets, at all times and, if a severe, throbbing headache occurs, taking the antidote at once and going to the nearest emergency room reuptake inhibitors. Taking an MAOI with another antidepressant can cause a dangerously high body temperature, breakdown of muscle, kidney failure, and seizures. These effects, called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome , can be fatal. Abruptly stopping MAOIs, as with SSRIs, may result in a discontinuation syndrome. 