Marplan® (isocarboxazid) Tablets treatment works in a different way
The potent symptom-relieving action of Marplan® (isocarboxazid) Tablets is due to its direct blocking effect on the enzyme monoamine oxidase. (That's why Marplan® (isocarboxazid) Tablets is part of a different class of antidepressant drugs called MAO Inhibitor's (Mono-Amine Oxidase Inhibitors))1.
In contrast to conventional antidepressant drugs that work by raising the levels of one or two of the brain's mood-lifting chemicals, only MAO Inhibitors like Marplan® (isocarboxazid) Tablets are able to raise the levels of all three of these vital mood-lifting chemicals. (Medical scientists call these vital mood-lifting chemicals neurotransmitters, and that's the reason why depression is sometimes referred to as a "chemical imbalance"3.)
Marplan® (isocarboxazid) Tablets' different effect on brain chemistry may explain why it has been effective in the treatment of chronic, treatment-resistant major depression*3.
Artist's conception of effect of Marplan® (isocarboxazid) Tablets upon neurotransmitters3; The MAO Inhibitor action of Marplan® (isocarboxazid) Tablets relieves the symptoms of Major Depression by elevating the levels of all three key neurotransmitters in the brain3.
Please click here to review the Marplan® (isocarboxazid) Tablets references.
Please see Full Prescribing Information including BOXED WARNINGS regarding increased risk of suicidality in children and adolescents. MAO Inhibitors are contraindicated with certain drugs. Potential hypertensive crises may occur with foods that contain tyramine. As with all antidepressants, patients should be observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the initial few months of treatment.
Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs
Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of Marplan® (isocarboxazid) Tablets or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Marplan® (isocarboxazid) Tablets is not approved for use in pediatric patients. (See Warnings: Clinical Worsening and Suicide Risk, Precautions: Information for Patients, and Precautions: Pediatric Use).
Pooled analyses of short-term (4 to 16 weeks) placebo-controlled trials of 9 antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and others) in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or other psychiatric disorders (a total of 24 trials involving over 4400 patients) have revealed a greater risk of adverse events representing suicidal thinking or behavior (suicidality) during the first few months of treatment in those receiving antidepressants. The average risk of such events in patients receiving antidepressants was 4%, twice the placebo risk of 2%. No suicides occurred in these trials.
