Phenelzine: Uses, Risks And Side Effects Of This Antidepressant
Currently, antidepressants are used worldwide to especially treat depression. This use has increased over the years, although at first only MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) were used, the first antidepressants to be synthesized.
Here We will learn about phenelzine, an antidepressant from the MAOI group Let’s see how it acts, its most important characteristics, as well as its therapeutic indications.
As we have seen, phenelzine is an antidepressant that belongs to the group of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). It is a non-selective MAOI, meaning it inhibits both type A and type B monoamine oxidases Monoamine oxidases are enzymes that degrade neurotransmitters -amines (serotonin and norepinephrine).
Phenelzine is considered the first antidepressant available on the market. On the other hand, although MAOIs have been replaced by other more modern medications in most cases, their pharmacological action means that they continue to be the most effective in the treatment of atypical depressions, for example It is also effective in those conditions where other medications have not produced results, and in intense anxiety.
Phenelzine is sold in the form of tablets that are taken orally.
Mechanism of action
This antidepressant works by increase the amount of certain natural substances that are necessary to maintain mental balance Specifically, they act by blocking the action of the enzyme monoamine oxidase. This enzyme degrades serotonin and norepinephrine; When degraded, its action is interrupted, and therefore the amount of serotonin (SA) and norepinephrine (NA) in the brain increases.
Both SA and NA have been directly related to depression ; People with depression often have lower levels of these neurotransmitters.
Therapeutic indications
Phenelzine is mainly used to treat depression in people who have not responded to other medications, such as atypical depression (the symptoms of which are hypersomnia, hypersensitivity, increased appetite, extreme tiredness, and marked anxiety).
On the other hand, It is also indicated for anxiety, bulimia and social phobia
Side effects
Some of the side or adverse effects of phenelzine are:
Suicidal tendencies with this drug
It should be noted that during clinical studies of phenelzine, a small number of children, adolescents, and young adults (up to 24 years of age) who took antidepressants such as phenelzine became suicidal. These translated into thoughts such as harming or committing suicide, planning to do so or attempting to do so
These suicidal tendencies appeared both with phenelzine and with many other antidepressants. Thus, it is known that children, adolescents and young adults who take antidepressants to treat depression or other mental disorders are more likely to have suicidal thoughts than those who do not take antidepressants to treat these conditions.
However, Experts do not know exactly what the risk of taking it is nor to what extent should we consider this probability of the appearance of suicidal tendencies in the case of a child or adolescent who must take antidepressants.
However, children under 18 years of age should not regularly take phenelzine, although in some cases, the doctor may decide that phenelzine is the best option.
