Biochemical effects of high single doses of moclobemide in man: correlation with plasma concentrations

The effects of high single doses of moclobemide (300, 450 and 600 mg given at the end of a standardized meal) on plasma levels of several catecholamines and their deaminated metabolites, and on plasma levels of pituitary hormones were determined in eight healthy young male volunteers in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Assessment of the i.v. tyramine potentiation and determination of the plasma levels of moclobemide were also performed. The tyramine sensitivity factor at 2 h after dosing was about 2.1, with no significant differences between the doses used. The inhibitory activity of moclobemide on MAO-A was reflected in significant reductions of plasma concentrations of DHPG and 5-HIAA. No clear differences were detected between the moclobemide doses. Prolactin plasma concentrations were only slightly increased after the two higher doses. The plasma concentrations of moclobemide were very much in agreement with those found in previous studies under similar experimental conditions. Thus, single oral doses of 300, 450 and 600 mg moclobemide demonstrated marked inhibition of MAO-A activity, whereas a single dose of 300 mg induced a near-maximum effect.