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mao inhibitors-oral

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GENERIC NAME: MAO INHIBITORS - ORAL

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert

USES: This medication is used to treat depression.

HOW TO USE: May be taken with food if stomach upset occurs. Take this exactly as prescribed. Try to take each dose at the same time(s) each day so you remember to routinely take it. It may take a few weeks for the full benefits of this medication to be noticed. Do not stop taking this drug without first consulting your doctor.

SIDE EFFECTS: May cause drowsiness, dizziness, increased sun sensitivity or blurred vision. Use caution performing tasks that require alertness. May initially cause dizziness and lightheadedness when rising too quickly from a sitting or lying position. Other side effects include stomach upset, loss of appetite, tremors, irritability, sleeplessness, or flushing. These effects should subside as your body adjusts to the medication. Notify your doctor promptly if the following effects occur: severe headache, rapid or irregular heart rate, skin rash, fever, yellowing of the eyes or skin. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: heart or circulation problems, liver or kidney disease, head trauma, pheochromocytoma (specific type of tumor), alcohol use, mental/emotional conditions, frequent or severe headaches, high blood pressure, any allergies. Though uncommon, depression itself can lead to thoughts or attempts of suicide. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any suicidal thoughts, or other mental/mood changes. Keep all medical appointments so your doctor can monitor your progress closely. This drug should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug may be excreted into breast milk and pose a risk to a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: apraclonidine, brimonidine, bethanidine, bupropion, buspirone, carbamazepine, dextromethorphan, entacapone, herbal products (e.g., ma huang), indoramin, meperidine, papaverine, sibutramine, SSRI antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, citalopram), sympathomimetics (e.g., methylphenidate, ephedrine), tolcapone, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, doxepin), "triptans" (e.g., sumatriptan, zolmitriptan). If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting a MAO inhibitor. Before using this medication, be sure to tell your doctor what medicines (both prescription and nonprescription) you are taking, including: levodopa, tryptophan, insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs, other MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, moclobemide, selegiline), sedatives and drugs used to aid sleep, blood pressure medications. Consult your doctor about the need to watch your intake of foods containing tyramine. It is possible consuming tyramine- containing foods while using this medication could cause headache and/or increased blood pressure and could lead to a medical emergency. Tyramine food precautions should be observed for at least 2 weeks after you stop using this medication. The following is a partial list of tyramine-containing foods: Meat or Fish - pickled herring/liver/dry sausage/salami/meats prepared with tenderizer; Dairy - yogurt/sour cream/aged cheeses (cream or cottage cheese are okay); Beverages - beer/red wine/sherry - Avoid excessive amount of caffeine-containing colas/coffee/tea; Fruits and Vegetables - avocado/bananas/figs/raisins/broad beans/sauerkraut; Other - yeast extract/soy sauce/large amounts of chocolate. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

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