Phenelzine for anxiety

[hawksandsparrows]

Hi,
I’m really interested in phenelzine as a unique and powerful anxiolytic medication for social anxiety and severe panic disorder due to its ability into inhibit GABA transaminase, despite its long list of side effects.

Unfortunately old MAOI’s have obviously fallen considerably out of favor in contemporary psychiatry and although phenelzine is still in mass production globally, its not hard to imagine that won’t be the case in the future.
I know literally nothing about this so sorry if my question is silly.

Thanks for reading.

 

[thegreenhand]

Just as friendly reminder, bluelight doesn’t allow synthesis discussion. I’ve gone ahead and removed that part of your post.

That said, I think your question is a good one. That part of your OP is certainly within the scope of N&PD. I do not, however, know much about MAOIs for treatment. I’ll defer that to smarter brains than mine…

I would recommend looking into a reversible MAOI if you’re able. From my understanding these provide a simpler taper than something like phenelzine if/when you want to cease medication

I’m unfamiliar with efficacy of different MAOIs for anxiety disorders. If you can find a good psychiatrist (big if, I know) they tend to be well versed in drug efficacy, at the very least.

 

[Fertile]

Literature References: Monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Prepn: Votocek, Leminger, Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 4, 271 (1932), C.A. 26, 5294 (1932); Biel et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 81, 2805 (1959); Biel, US 3000903 (1959 to Lakeside). Toxicity: J. A. Gylys et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 107, 899 (1963). Comprehensive description: R. E. Daly, Anal. Profiles Drug Subs. 2, 383-407 (1973).
Properties: Liquid. bp0.1 74°. nD20 1.5494.

It's really only suitable for in-patient treatment in my opinion. It's non-selective and irreversible. IF I was a pharmacist, I would certainly call the specialist who wrote the prescription. E-mail them as well, because I would be concerned.

 

[AlphaMethylPhenyl]

MAOIs are supposed to b very effective. I think that the danger associated with their use has been overstated, to (ironically) say the least. I take Ritalin sometimes and my doctor won't let me near one, I suppose for the best.

Edit: phenelzine is a TAAR agonist itself, which certainly well-plays into its effects. Yet by inhibiting that GABA enzyme it may thus be inhibitory as well. Fascinating chemical.

 

[Fertile]

I think the clue is in the acronym. It inhibits the body's ability to oxidize (metabolize) monoamines - and that is very dangerous. I presume it would increase the effects of Ritalin and so I'm not surprised that your doctor is unwilling. I presume that it's the increase in serotonin levels that has a sedating effect.

If you have anxiety, Ritalin won't be helping - I believe that their is an ADHD medication that has sedating effects so that 1 drug might be better than the 2.