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Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Irreversible non-selective MAO inhibitors are associated with potentially lethal serotonin toxicity in overdose, significant adverse reactions and a withdrawal syndrome. Isolated overdose of the newer reversible and selective agents is associated with a benign clinical course, but severe serotonin syndrome is common when they are taken in combination with other serotonergic agents.

References

  • Mills KC. Monoamine oxidase inhibitor toxicity. Emergency Medicine 1993;15:58-71.
  • Kaplan RF, Feinglass NG, Webster W. Phenelzine overdose treated with dantrolene sodium. Journal of the American Medical Association 1986;255:642-644.
  • Downes MA, Whyte IM, Isbister GK. QTc abnormalities in deliberate self-poisoning with moclobemide. Internal Medicine Journal 2005;35:388–391.
  • Isbister GK, Hackett LP, Dawson AH et al. Moclobemide poisoning: toxicokinetics and occurrence of serotonin toxicity. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2003; 56(4):441-450.

Toxicology Handbook

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About Mike Cadogan

Emergency physician with a passion for medical informatics and medical education. Co-founder of HealthEngine, iMeducate, and the GMEP. He writes more eclectically on the web as @sandnsurf | + Mike Cadogan | Contact