Monoamine oxidase inhibitor

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of drugs that inhibit the activity of one or both monoamine oxidase enzymes: monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). They are effective antidepressants, especially for treatment-resistant depression^[1] and atypical depression.^[2] They are also used to treat panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, Parkinson's disease, and several other disorders.

Reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (RIMAs) are a subclass of MAOIs that selectively and reversibly inhibit the MAO-A enzyme. RIMAs are used clinically in the treatment of depression and dysthymia. Due to their reversibility, they are safer in single-drug overdose than the older, irreversible MAOIs,^[3] and weaker in increasing the monoamines important in depressive disorder.^[4] RIMAs have not gained widespread market share in the United States.