Some biochemical aspects of the potential benefit of associating MD780515 with tricyclic antidepressants

In the rat, suitable oral doses of tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline 20 mg kg-1, imipramine, desipramine 2.5 mg kg-1) are able to antagonize the increase of cardiac levels of intravenous tyramine after a pharmacologically active dose (3.5 mg kg-1 orally) of a reversible and specific type A MAO inhibitor, MD780515 (3-[4-(3-cyanophenylmethoxy)phenyl]-5-(methoxymethyl)-2-oxazolidinone). MD780515, in oral doses up to 35 mg kg-1, does not alter the liver microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes in the rat. Therefore, when given with tricyclic antidepressants, it should not interfere with their metabolism.