monoamine oxidase inhibitors (anaesthesia management)
Last reviewed 01/2018
MAOI's have two salient interactions which makes their use dangerous in general anaesthesia:
- exaggerated response to exogenous catecholamines
- inhibition of metabolism of pethidine; respiratory depression, hypotension or hypertension may result
Hence, all MAOI's (type A and B) should be stopped at least three weeks before surgery.