Isocarboxazid

Oral
Depression

Severe: Contraindicated.

Contraindicated.

Cerebrovascular disorders, severe CV disease, actual or suspected phaeochromocytoma. Hepatic and severe renal impairment. Concomitant admin w/ other MAOIs, SSRIs or TCAs, indirectly-acting sympathomimetic agents, dopamine or levodopa, other CNS depressants, stimulants, local anaesth, ganglion-blocking agents and other hypotensives, diuretics, vasopressors, anticholinergic drugs and hypoglycaemic agents, pethidine.

Patient w/ CV disease, DM or blood dyscrasias. Avoid abrupt withdrawal. Mild to moderate renal impairment. Elderly and debilitated patients. Pregnancy and lactation.

Orthostatic hypotension, associated in some patients w/ disturbances in cardiac rhythm, peripheral oedema, complaints of dizziness, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, constipation, blurred vision, insomnia, drowsiness, weakness and fatigue. Infrequent reports of mild headaches, sweating, paraesthesia, peripheral neuritis, hyperreflexia, agitation, overactivity, muscle tremor, confusion and other behavioural changes, difficulty in micturition, impairment of erection and ejaculation, skin rashes, increased appetite, wt gain. Rarely, blood dyscrasias (e.g. purpura, granulocytopenia).

PO: C

This drug may cause drowsiness, if affected, do not drive or operate machinery. Eat only fresh food and avoid food that is suspected of being stale or 'going off'. Avoid alcoholic drinks or de-alcoholised (low alcohol) drinks.

Perform regular monitoring of liver function during therapy. Monitor BP, heart rate, mood, suicidal ideation (esp at the beginning of therapy or when doses are adjusted).

Symptoms: Dizziness, ataxia, irritability, hypotension or HTN, tachycardia, pyrexia, psychotic manifestations, convulsions, resp depression and coma. Management: Perform gastric lavage soon after ingestion and carry out intensive supportive therapy. May treat severe hypotension w/ plasma expanders. Hypertensive crises may be treated by pentolinium or phentolamine, severe shock w/ hydrocortisone. May use diazepam to control convulsions or severe excitement.

Potentially Fatal: May cause serotonin syndrome w/ other MAOIs, SSRIs or most TCAs (e.g. clomipramine, desipramine, imipramine, butriptyline, bortriptyline). May potentiate actions of indirectly-acting sympathomimetic agents (e.g. amfetamines, metaraminol, fenfluramine or similar anorectic agents, ephedrine or phenylpropanolamine), dopamine or levodopa, other CNS depressants (esp barbiturates and phenothiazines), stimulants, local anaesth, ganglion-blocking agents and other hypotensives, diuretics, vasopressors, anticholinergic drugs and hypoglycaemic agents. May cause serious, potentially fatal reactions when given w/ pethidine.

Avoid food or beverage w/ high tyramine content (e.g. mature cheese, hydrolysed yeast or meat extracts, alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beers, lagers, wines, and other food which are not fresh and are fermented, pickled, 'hung', 'matured' or otherwise subject to protein degradation before consumption); broad bean pods, banana skins, as these may cause sudden and severe high BP (hypertensive crisis or serotonin syndrome).

Description: Isocarboxazid, a hydrazine derivative, is an irreversible inhibitor of both monoamine oxidase types A and B. It increases endogenous concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin through inhibition of the enzyme, monoamine oxidase, responsible for the breakdown of these neurotransmitters.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Readily absorbed from the GI tract. Time to peak plasma concentration: 3-5 hr.
Metabolism: Undergoes hepatic metabolism.
Excretion: Via urine mainly as metabolites.

Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Database. Isocarboxazid, CID=3759, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Isocarboxazid (accessed on Jan. 21, 2020)

Store at or below 25°C.

Antidepressants

N06AF01 - isocarboxazid ; Belongs to the class of non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Used in the management of depression.

Anon. Isocarboxazid. Lexicomp Online. Hudson, Ohio. Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 14/03/2016.

Buckingham R (ed). Isocarboxazid. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 14/03/2016.

Joint Formulary Committee. Isocarboxazid. British National Formulary [online]. London. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 14/03/2016.