[Plea for monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Retrospective study of 350 cases]

The case-records of 350 outpatients treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors have been reviewed. All patients presented with depression, obsessions or phobias. About two-thirds benefited from the drugs, particularly after other treatments (including psychotropic drugs, seismotherapy, psychotherapy and internment) had failed. With the moderate doses administered (iproniazide: 50 mg/day; nialamide: 100 mg/day) side-effects were uncommon and mild and no incident was noted in 32 general anaesthesias given for surgical operations. These findings should help in lifting the ban on this category of drugs. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are effective, useful and sometimes indispensable after failure of other antidepressants.