Reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A

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Ribbon diagram of a monomer of human MAO-A, with FAD and clorgiline bound, oriented as if attached to the outer membrane of a mitochondrion. From PDB 2BXS.

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.

These drugs, a subset of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), inhibit only isoenzyme A and are reversible. Isoenzyme B remains free to metabolize tyramine contained in some foods, so they are safer and may not require a special diet.

Because their action is short-lived and selective, they have a better safety profile than the older MAOI drugs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). A special diet does not need to be so strictly adhered to, although eating excessively large amounts of tyramine-containing foods is not advisable.

Combining a RIMA or MAOI with an SSRI is dangerous since it can lead to serotonin syndrome and possible fatality.

Moclobemide, brofaromine and beta-carbolines are RIMAs.

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