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Are there any drug interactions between monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants?

answer for 'Are there any drug interactions between monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants?'

Medicines including isocarboxazid (brand name Marplan), phenelzine (>Nardil), tranylcypromine (>Parnate), and selegiline (>Eldepryl) block an enzyme in the body called monoamine oxidase. These drugs are called monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAO inhibitors. They're used for depression or Parkinson's disease and may interact with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and foods. SSRI antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft), commonly used for depression, should not be taken with MAO inhibitors. Combining these types of medicines may lead to serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening drug interaction. Symptoms include fever, muscle spasms, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, slowed breathing, and unconsciousness.

If you're taking an MAO inhibitor, it's especially crucial to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medicines to make sure that there isn't a drug interaction.

Sources:
Hansten, P.D., J.R. Horn. Drug Interactions Analysis and Management. Applied Therapeutics, 1999.
Micromedex Healthcare Series. Micromedex Inc., 2000.

This answer prepared 5/23/00.