Maoi moa

Most MAOIs, such as phenelzine, form stable complexes with the enzyme, causing irreversible inactivation. This results in increased stores of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine within the neuron and subsequent diffusion of excess neurotransmitter into the synaptic space. These drugs inhibit not only MAO in the brain, but also MAO in the liver and gut that catalyze oxidative deamination of drugs and potentially toxic substances, such as tyramine, which is found in certain foods. The MAOIs, therefore, show a high incidence of drug-drug and drug-food interactions.