Which drugs should not be given concurrently with monoamine oxidase inhibitors?

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of antidepressants that inhibit the monoamine oxidase enzyme, leading to increased levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Due to this mechanism, the use of certain drugs concurrently with MAOIs can lead to significant and potentially dangerous interactions.

Amphetamine-like drugs can lead to heightened levels of norepinephrine and can cause excessive stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. When these drugs are taken alongside MAOIs, the risk of hypertensive crisis increases substantially. This is because both amphetamines and MAOIs elevate norepinephrine levels, and the combined effect can lead to dangerously high blood pressure and other cardiovascular complications.

In comparison, while opioids and antibiotics may have some interactions or considerations when used with MAOIs, they do not carry the same level of risk that amphetamine-like drugs do. Beta-blockers, on the other hand, are used to manage blood pressure and heart rate but should be used cautiously and under medical supervision if a patient is on MAOIs, primarily due to potential drug interactions. However, they are not contraindicated in the way that amphetamine-like drugs are.

Therefore, the choice of not giving amphetamine