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Reversible Inhibitors of Monoamine Oxidase Type A (RIMAs)
What Are Reversible Inhibitors of Monoamine Oxidase Type A (RIMAs)?
Reversible inhibitors of Monoamine Oxidase type A (RIMAs) are similar to monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), but are typically used to treat major depression. RIMAs are also considered to be a safer choice than MAOIs, as they require fewer dietary restrictions and have fewer significant interactions with other medicines. RIMAs are considered a second-line treatment for depression. Reversible Inhibitors of Monoamine Oxidase Type A are sometimes called Reversible Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.
How do Reversible Inhibitors of Monoamine Oxidase Type A (RIMAs) work?
It is thought that depression may be linked to an imbalance of chemical neurotransmitters (or monoamines) within the brain. When depression occurs, there may be a decrease in the amount of monoamines released from nerve cells in the brain. Monoamines are broken down by an enzyme called monoamine oxidase type A. RIMAs prevent the breakdown of monoamines by this enzyme. As a result there is and increased amount of active monoamines in the brain. By increasing the amount of monoamines, the imbalance of chemicals, which is thought to be caused by depression, is altered. This helps relieve the symptoms of depression.
RIMAs can start to have an effect quite quickly, but you may only experience an effect on your mood after two weeks. However, the full benefits of treatment with RIMAs may not occur for a further two to four weeks.
Currently Available Reversible Inhibitors of Monoamine Oxidase Type A (RIMAs)
There is currently only one RIMA available. Moclobemide (brand name Aurorix) is believed to cause fewer problems than older MAOIs. However, caution is still required with tyramine-containing foods (e.g. cheeses, pickled herring, broad bean pods, fermented soya bean extract, yeast extract and most red wines) and certain medicines, especially over-the-counter cough and cold remedies.
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