title: The role of monoamine oxidase inhibitors in depression treatment guidelines.
abstract: Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) have proven efficacy for treating depression and for decades have been a preferred treatment for patients with atypical depression, high levels of anxiety, anergic bipolar depression, and treatment-resistant depression. However, MAOIs are infrequently used due to safety and tolerability concerns and the need for dietary restrictions. Current guidelines, which are reviewed here, recommend MAOIs as third-, fourth-, or fifth-line treatments due to these concerns. However, a transdermal formulation of selegiline limits the need for dietary restrictions and has fewer side effects than many more widely used antidepressants. The availability of a safer and more tolerable formulation gives clinicians another option in their armamentarium for treating depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, USA. thase@mail.med.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Thase
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D018565:Food-Drug Interactions; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors