MAO INHIBITORS AND SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS

MAO inhibitors & SRI image healthtips images

The 2 classes of inhibitors don’t co-exist well. If you stop one to start the other, a drug holiday is always needed. After stopping an MAO inhibitor, allow at least 2 weeks before giving any SRI. To give MAOI, stop SRI according to following table:

SRI

Weeks to clear body of SRI for MAOI

Venlafxaine, Nefazodone

1

Citalopram, Escitalopram, Fluvoxamine, Paroxetine, Sertraline

2

Fluoxetine

5

“Selective” MAO type-B inhibitors such as selegiline in Parkinson treatment don’t seem to have problem combining with fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline.