This type of antidepressant is rarely prescribed, usually as a last line of defence when other types of antidepressant have been unsuccessful.
It contains a chemical Tyramine which can give you dangerously high blood pressure if you eat certain foods.
However in 2006 a patch version of the drug Selegilline called Emsam was approved by the FDA. The drug does not enter the GI tract so the problems with having to avoid certain foods do NOT apply.
How do they work?
MAOI's act by inhibiting the Monoamine Oxidase preventing the breakdown of Monoamine neurotransmitters and so increasing the available stores.
Side Effects
☁Dangerously high blood pressure if eaten with certain foods
How should they be taken?
try not to be put off if you experience any side effects as they will wear off in a couple of days.DO NOT STOP the tablets unless the side effects are unpleasant. If this happens you need an URGENT appointment with your GP.
If you feel worse whilst taking the tablet you must tell your GP so they can decide whether or not te tablet is the right one for you. Your GP will also want to know if you have any increased feelings of RESTLESSNESS or AGITATION. Take them everyday - if you don't take them they won't work!!!
Wait for them to work, nost people find that they take 1-2 weeks to start working and some people may find they take as long as 6 weeks until the desired effect is reached.
PESERVERENCE - stopping the treatment too early is the commonest reason for people not to get better and for depression to return.
AVOID ALCOHOL - not only can it make your depression worse BUT it can make you slow and drowsy when taking antidepressants.
KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN - as with all tablets BUT especially with antidepressants
Tempted to OVERDOSE then let your GP know, talk to somebody and give them your tablets to remove the risk factor
Tell your GP about any changes in how you feel after any changes in your dose
How long will I have to take the for?
Antidepressants do not usually treat the cause of the depression or take it away completely. It is thought that most types of depression will get better after 8 months.
If you stop taking the antidepressants before 8 to 9 months is up then the symptoms of depression are likely to come back. The current recommendations from the Royal College of Psychiatrists is that you continue to take the antidepressants for six months after you begin to feel better.
It is actually worth looking at what made you vulnerable and tiggered off your depression so that you can make it less likely to happen again.
If you have had two or more attacks of depression then treatment should be continued for at leasttwo years.
what impact will these tablets have on my life? Antidepressants can help you get better quicker as Depression can affect your ability to look after yourself and your baby and to enjoy life. The tablets will be prescribed by your GP and although you may experience some side effects they should have very little impact on your life. You will be able to carry on with your life as normal.
Some people who have had depression for a long time may find that their partner has become used to the depressed person and therefore find it hard to accept when the person becomes more positive, to avoid friction things should be discussed openly.
what happens if I don't take them?
It is difficult to say as it is thought that most depressions resolve themselves after 8 months. However with a baby this is a huge part of the babies life to try and cope with things, and babies will always find you a new challenge. If you are experiencing mild depression you will probably not be prescribed antidepressants but other treatments.
