eMedicine Specialties > Emergency Medicine > Toxicology

Toxicity, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor: Differential Diagnoses & Workup

Author: Steven Marcus, MD, Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; Executive and Medical Director, New Jersey Poison Information and Education System; Consulting Staff, Departments of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, University Hospital, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; Consulting Staff, Department of Pediatrics, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Sep 22, 2009

Differential Diagnoses

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Toxicity, Cocaine
Hypertensive Emergencies
Toxicity, Methamphetamine
Hyperthyroidism, Thyroid Storm, and Graves Disease
Toxicity, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Withdrawal Syndromes
Toxicity, Amphetamine
Toxicity, Anticholinergic
Toxicity, Antidepressant

Workup

Laboratory Studies

  • Standard laboratory tests for poisoned patients are indicated if the patient has significant symptoms.
  • Quantitative levels of MAOIs are not clinically useful.
  • Electrolytes with lactic acid to evaluate for acidosis due to hypoperfusion
  • Toxicology screens are primarily useful in ruling out other toxins.
  • Obtain pregnancy tests in women of childbearing age.

More on Toxicity, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor

Overview: Toxicity, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Toxicity, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
Treatment & Medication: Toxicity, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
Follow-up: Toxicity, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
References

References

  1. Brunton LL, Lazo JS, Parker KL. Drug therapy of depression and anxiety disorders. In: Goodman and Gillman: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 11th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2006:429-459/chap17.

  2. Amsterdam JD. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the safety and efficacy of selegiline transdermal system without dietary restrictions in patients with major depressive disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. Feb 2003;64(2):208-14. [Medline].

  3. Preskorn SH. Why the transdermal delivery of selegiline (6 mg/24 hr) obviates the need for a dietary restriction on tyramine. J Psychiatr Pract. May 2006;12(3):168-72. [Medline].

  4. Watson WA, Litovitz TL, Klein-Schwartz W, et al. 2003 annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. Am J Emerg Med. Sep 2004;22(5):335-404. [Medline][Full Text].

  5. Litovitz TL, Klein-Schwartz W, Dyer KS, et al. 1997 annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. Am J Emerg Med. Sep 1998;16(5):443-97. [Medline][Full Text].

  6. Litovitz TL, Smilkstein M, Felberg L, et al. 1996 annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. Am J Emerg Med. Sep 1997;15(5):447-500. [Medline][Full Text].

  7. Litovitz TL, Bailey KM, Schmitz BF, et al. 1990 annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers National Data Collection System. Am J Emerg Med. Sep 1991;9(5):461-509. [Medline][Full Text].

  8. Lai MW, Klein-Schwartz W, Rodgers GC, Abrams JY, Haber DA, Bronstein AC. 2005 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers' national poisoning and exposure database. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2006;44(6-7):803-932. [Medline].

  9. Bronstein AC, Spyker DA, Cantilena JR et al. 2007 Annual Report of the American Association of poison Control Centers' National Poison data System (NPDS):25th Annual Report. Clinical toxicology. 2008;46:927-1057. [Full Text].

  10. Erich JL, Shih RD, O'Connor RE. "Ping-pong" gaze in severe monoamine oxidase inhibitor toxicity. J Emerg Med. Sep-Oct 1995;13(5):653-5. [Medline].

  11. Taylor JJ, Wilson JW, Estes LL. Linezolid and serotonergic drug interactions: a retrospective survey. Clin Infect Dis. Jul 15 2006;43(2):180-7. [Medline].

  12. Dawson JK, Earnshaw SM, Graham CS. Dangerous monoamine oxidase inhibitor interactions are still occurring in the 1990s. J Accid Emerg Med. Mar 1995;12(1):49-51. [Medline].

  13. Francois B, Marquet P, Desachy A, et al. Serotonin syndrome due to an overdose of moclobemide and clomipramine. A potentially life-threatening association. Intensive Care Med. Jan 1997;23(1):122-4. [Medline].

  14. Henry JA. Epidemiology and relative toxicity of antidepressant drugs in overdose. Drug Saf. Jun 1997;16(6):374-90. [Medline].

  15. Hernandez AF, Montero MN, Pla A, Villanueva E. Fatal moclobemide overdose or death caused by serotonin syndrome?. J Forensic Sci. Jan 1995;40(1):128-30. [Medline].

  16. Isbister GK, Hackett LP, Dawson AH, et al. Moclobemide poisoning: toxicokinetics and occurrence of serotonin toxicity. Br J Clin Pharmacol. Oct 2003;56(4):441-50. [Medline].

  17. Kokan L. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors. In: Goldfrank, Flomenbaum, Howland, Hoffman, Nelson. Goldfrank's Toxicological Emergencies. 7th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2002:885-900/chap60.

Further Reading

Keywords

monoamine oxidase inhibitor toxicity, monoamine oxidase inhibitor poisoning, antidepressant overdose, MAOI, MAO, MAO-A, MAO-B, MAOI poisoning, phenelzine sulfate, Nardil, tranylcypromine sulfate, Parnate, isocarboxazid, Marplan, selegiline, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, analgesics, tyramine-containing foods, catecholamines, excessive catecholamine neurotransmitters, MAOI overdose

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Steven Marcus, MD, Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; Executive and Medical Director, New Jersey Poison Information and Education System; Consulting Staff, Departments of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, University Hospital, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; Consulting Staff, Department of Pediatrics, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Steven Marcus, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Academy of Medicine of New Jersey, American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Medical Toxicology, American Medical Association, and Medical Society of New Jersey
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Richard Lavely, MD, JD, MS, MPH, Lecturer in Health Policy and Administration, Department of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine
Richard Lavely, MD, JD, MS, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Legal Medicine, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

John T VanDeVoort, PharmD, Regional Director of Pharmacy, Sacred Heart & St. Joseph's Hospitals
John T VanDeVoort, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Fred Harchelroad, MD, FACMT, FAAEM, FACEP, Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Director of Medical Toxicology - Allegheny General Hospital, Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

John D Halamka, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Asim Tarabar, MD, Assistant Professor, Director, Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
HONcode

We subscribe to the
HONcode principles of the
Health On the Net Foundation

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright© 1994- by Medscape.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.