If You are a Psychiatrist, You Need to Know How to Prescribe Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors: Guide for MAOIs so an Effective Treatment Option is Not Lost-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The session from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) discussed the underutilization of certain psychopharmacologic tools, such as MAO inhibitors, lithium, and tricyclic antidepressants. Presenters aimed to refresh knowledge on these medications, emphasizing that despite being overshadowed by newer drugs, such as SSRIs, these older medications hold significant therapeutic potential, especially in treatment-resistant cases.<br /><br />Dr. Stephen Stahl highlighted the historical anxiety surrounding MAO inhibitors due to initial unknowns, but emphasized their effectiveness when used correctly. He acknowledged the common barriers to prescribing these medications, such as unfamiliarity among prescribers and misconceptions about diet and drug interactions. Dr. Stahl advocated for integrating these drugs back into practice, supported by a robust understanding of their pharmacology.<br /><br />The session included practical advice on managing the use of MAO inhibitors, such as monitoring for hypertensive crises, understanding dietary restrictions, and safely combining these drugs with others. Dr. Jonathan Stewart provided a practical guide on using MAO inhibitors, focusing on step-wise dosing and managing side effects like orthostasis and weight gain.<br /><br />The participants also explored the use of MAO inhibitors in treatment-resistant depression, while addressing questions about their use in conditions like OCD and PTSD, and in younger populations.<br /><br />Resources and support for clinicians were highlighted, notably online forums and guidelines, to help safely incorporate these effective but often neglected treatments into patient care. The session concluded with an invitation for ongoing community engagement and support for those incorporating MAO inhibitors into their clinical practice.

Keywords

American Psychiatric Association

psychopharmacologic tools

MAO inhibitors

lithium

tricyclic antidepressants

SSRIs

treatment-resistant depression

Dr. Stephen Stahl

hypertensive crises

dietary restrictions

clinical practice

online forums