Reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A

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Reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase type-A (RIMAs) are a family of psychiatric drugs and natural compounds that inhibit monoamine oxidase temporarily and reversibly. They are mostly used for alleviating depression and dysthymia. Because their action is short-lived and selective, they have a better safety profile than the older MAOIs.

Moclobemide, brofaromine, and some beta-carbolines, such as harmaline, are examples of RIMAs.cite journal |author=Lotufo-Neto F, Trivedi M, Thase ME |title=Meta-analysis of the reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase type A moclobemide and brofaromine for the treatment of depression |journal=Neuropsychopharmacology |volume=20 |issue=3 |pages=226–47 |year=1999 |month=March |pmid=10063483 |doi=10.1016/S0893-133X(98)00075-X |url=] [cite journal |author=Kim H, Sablin SO, Ramsay RR |title=Inhibition of monoamine oxidase A by beta-carboline derivatives |journal=Arch. Biochem. Biophys. |volume=337 |issue=1 |pages=137–42 |year=1997 |month=January |pmid=8990278 |doi=10.1006/abbi.1996.9771 |url=]

Functionality and safety

RIMAs, a subset of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), inhibit only isoenzyme A and are reversible. They are displaced from monoamine oxidase in the presence of tyramine, rather than inhibiting its breakdown in the liver as general MAOIs do. Additionally, isoenzyme B remains free and continues to metabolize tyramine in the stomach, although this is less significant than the liver action. Thus, a special diet does not need to be so strictly adhered to, although eating excessively large amounts of tyramine-containing foods is not advisable.

While safer than general MAOIs, RIMAs still have highly dangerous and sometimes fatal interactions with many common drugs; in particular, they can cause serotonin syndrome when combined with almost any antidepressant or stimulant (prescribed or not), common migraine medications, certain herbs, or even most cold medicines (including decongestants, antihistamines, and cough syrup).fact|date=May 2008

References