RIMA: a safe concept in the treatment of depression with moclobemide

Moclobemide--a new, safer antidepressant drug--is described and clinical studies are reviewed. Moclobemide represents a new class of drug, the so-called RIMA compounds--reversible inhibitors of MAO-A. Unlike classical monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, moclobemide is devoid of hepatotoxicity and has only a slight potentiating effect on the hypertensive action of tyramine; treatment does not require a tyramine-restricted diet. Studies comparing moclobemide with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) indicate that moclobemide is significantly better tolerated than TCAs and slightly less well tolerated than placebo.