Structural Biochemistry/Phenelzine

Overview

Phenelzine is a nonselevitve and irreversible MAOI. MAOIs stands for monoamine oxidase inhibitors. They are antidepressant drugs that work by preventing the enzyme monoamine oxidase from metabolizing neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters include serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Because these neurotransmitters are not metabolized, they remain in the brain and this helps elevate mood. It is also thought that the drug supports nerve cells within the brain from glutamate sensitivity. This prevents glutamate from stimulating areas of the brain that are responsible for depression and anxiety. There are two types of monoamine oxidase enzymes. There is MAO-A and MAO-B. These enzymes work by removing molecular segments from the neurotransmitters so that these neurotransmitters will become inactive and can be metabolized. Some of the side effects of the drug include tremors, arrhythmia, and seizures. The action of phenelzine binding to the enzyme permanently deactivates the enzyme and is irreversible. Also, the drug doesn't distinguish between MAO-A and MAO-B when it is inhibiting the enzyme.

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Drug Usage

Phenylzine is a drug used to treat depession. As mentioned above, this drugs belongs to MAOIs ( monoamine oxidase inhibitors). When using this drugs, it will increase the amount of some natural substances that are required by your body to maintain the mental balance.

This drug will not recover people depression condition, it just aids in taking control of the symptom. The average period for taking this drug can be range from 4 weeks or longer. While taking this drug, you cannot stop if your condition is getting better. You have to consult with your doctor so that he/she can decrease your regular doses. You will experience symptoms such as vomitting, nausea, nightmare and weakness if you stop taking it.

Side Effects

As many other drugs, Phenylzine does have some side effects that should be noticed while taking this pill:

Weakness
Dry mouth
Headache
Constipation
Shaking body parts
Chestpain
Constant pounding heart
Nausea
Night sweating
Vomitting
Gaining weight
Soreness

References

http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/medbydesign/medbydesign.pdf

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/maois/MH00072

http://online.factsandcomparisons.com

https://online.epocrates.com

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000573/