Toloxatone

This medication is a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type-A (also known as RIMA). MAO-A can be found in norepinephrinergic and serotonergic neurons and regulates the metabolism of serotonin and catecholamines, allowing for increased circulation in the synaptic cleft. Traditional monoamine oxidase inhibitors irreversibly inhibit monoamine oxidase and therefore, side effects, drug interactions, and food interactions persist as long as 2-3 weeks after discontinuing toloxatone. The elevation of serotonin and norepinephrine levels occurs rapidly after medication administration. However, the therapeutic relief of depressive symptoms requires weeks of daily treatment to observe results. Selective and reversible MAO-A inhibitors are more effective in treating major depression without several of the drug and food interactions associated with traditional monoamine oxidase inhibitors.