Abstract

The monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, a group of drugs which includes isocarboxazid (Marplan - Roche), nialamide (Niamid - Pfizer), and phenelzine (Nardil - Warner), are being widely used not only for mental depression, but also in the treatment of both angina pectoris and hypertensive disease. Whether the many pharmacological effects of these drugs are in any way related to the inhibition of monoamine oxidase is not known. They are effective in relieving some cases of severe depression, but another drug, imipramine (Tofranil - Geigy), which does not inhibit monoamine oxidase, is at least as effective.