Monoamine oxidase inhibitor toxicity

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Background

  • MonoAmine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI)
  • Used to treat depression and Parkinsonism (e.g. selegiline)
  • Lead to increased norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, tyramine
  • Toxicity often delayed 6-24 hours after ingestion

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

Evaluation

  • asymptomatic period followed by delayed toxicity can suggest MAO-I toxicity
  • urine immunoassays and mass spectroscopy can fail to detect MAOI
  • consider ECG and chemistry panel in MAOI overdose patients who are obtunded

Management

  1. Gastric decontamination
  2. Supportive care
    • Hypertension
      • Treat only with short-acting agents: may develop precipitous hypotension
      • Phentolamine: 2.5-5mg IV bolus q15-15min; can also give as infusion 0.2-0.5mg/min
      • Nitroprusside: 1mcg/kg/min and titrate up
    • Hypotension: intravenous fluid +/- norepinephrine
    • Seizures: benzodiazepines are 1st line
    • Hyperthermia
      • Routine cooling measures
      • Consider paralysis if patient has persistent muscle rigidity

Disposition

  • Admit all patients for 24 hour observation to monitored setting

Prevention

  • Do not prescribe the following medications if a patient is taking a MAOI: meperidine, dextromethorphan, tramadol, propoxyphene, or cyclobenzaprine

See Also

References

  • Rosen's