[Treatment of depression using MAO-A inhibitors: an open study of a direct switch from moclobemide to tri-/tetracyclic antidepressants]

Abstract

In an open study 13 depressed inpatients received moclobemide, a selective and reversible MAO-A-inhibitor (300 mg/d) for one week and subsequently were switched to a three-week course of a tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant (TCA) without medication-free interval. There were no drop-out, two patients needed additional ECT. Depressive symptomatology declined during treatment which was well tolerated. Mild adverse CNS effects and gastrointestinal symptoms prevailed under moclobemide. Subsequent TCA prompted autonomic symptoms. Overall adverse drug effects decreased over the treatment period. Cardiovascular monitoring revealed no clinically relevant side effects.