Pharmacology: Moclobemide
Moclobemide is classified as an antidepressant, a MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor. Antidepressants are designed to inhibit the reuptake or reabsorbtion of specific neurotransmitters, increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters around the nerves of the brain (Gbemudu, 2011:1). Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) are often called 'feel good' chemicals that elevate the patient's mood.
Drug class
A deficit of mood-enhancing chemicals is associated with depression, although there is no single neurotransmitter that is associated with depression alone. Because every patient's biochemistry and history of depression is different, different classes of antidepressants are designed to have different effects on the brain's neurotransmitters and have different indicated uses. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)s like Prozac prevent the reabsorbtion of the 'feel good' chemical serotonin, just as MAOIs prevent the reabsorbtion of monoamine oxidase. Depression is thought to be caused, in part, by a decrease in the concentration of chemicals in the brain called monoamines. "Monoamines may be broken down by a chemical called monoamine oxidase type A. Moclobemide reversibly prevents monoamine oxidase A from breaking down the monoamines," increasing the concentration of these feel-good chemicals in the brain and alleviating the symptoms of depression (Moclobemide, 2011, Depression Guide). Monoamine oxidase breaks down a number of chemicals that affect mood, including norepinephrine and serotonin (MAOI, 2011, Blue Pages).
Moclobemide is used in treating a variety of types of depression, including mild depression (dysthymia); unipolar depression; bipolar disorder; and also reactive, atypical, agitated, and retarded depression. Moclobemide is also frequently used in the treatment of social phobia (Moclobemide, 2011, Depression Guide). There are two types of MAOIs: A and B. A and B types are differentiated by their substrate specificity. MAO-As inhibit the brain chemical monoaimase approximately...
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now