What sort of side-effects might occur if I am taking an MAOI?
The table below will show you some of the main side effects you might get from an MAOI.
|
Side effect |
What happens |
What to do about it |
|
COMMON (more than about 1 in 10 people might get these) |
||
|
Postural hypotension |
Feeling dizzy or faint after standing up |
Don't stand up too quickly. Don't drive. Talk to your doctor about this if it goes on for more than a few weeks. |
|
Sleepiness |
Feeling sleepy, drowsy or sluggish for a few hours after each dose |
Don't drive or use machinery. Ask your doctor if you can take your MAOI at a different time. |
|
Constipation |
When you want to poop but can't (the opposite of diarrhoea). You can't pass a motion. |
Make sure you eat enough fibre, cereal or fruit and drink enough fluid. Make sure you keep active and get some exercise e.g. walking. If this does not help, ask your doctor or pharmacist for a mild laxative. |
|
Dry mouth |
Not much saliva or spit. |
Suck sugar-free boiled sweets or use a mouth spray. |
|
UNCOMMON (less than about 1 in 10 people might get these) |
||
|
Urinary retention |
Not much urine passed. |
Contact your doctor now. |
|
Insomnia |
Not being able to get to sleep at night. |
Make sure you take your dose in the morning. It may be possible to change the time of your dose, or reduce the dose a little. |
|
Headache |
Your head is painful. |
Try paracetamol. Your pharmacist will be able to advise if this is safe to take with any other medicines you may be taking. If a headache is sudden or unexpected, this could be dangerous (see below). |
|
RARE (less than about 1 in 100 people might get these) |
||
|
Skin rashes |
Blotches seen anywhere. |
Stop taking and contact your doctor now |
|
Blurred vision |
Things look fuzzy and you can't focus properly. |
Do not drive with blurred vision. This should wear off after a few weeks. If it does not wear off, see your doctor if you are worried. |
|
Sweating |
Feeling hot and sticky, particularly at night. |
Let your doctor know next time you meet. It is not dangerous but he or she may be able to adjust your dose(s). |
|
RARE AND IMPORTANT |
||
|
Hypertensive crisis |
Headache, light-headedness, dizziness, flushing of the face, pounding of the heart, stiff neck, or nausea and vomiting |
It usually occurs about two hours after eating or drinking something with tyramine in it. You should not take any more doses. Contact your doctor straight away. If not available, go to casualty at your nearest general hospital. |
Do not be worried by this list of side effects. Some people get no side effects at all and others may get some effects that are not listed in this table. Side effects tend to be worse with higher doses. Starting with a lower dose sometimes helps. If you think you might have a side effect to your medicine, you should discuss this with your doctor, nurse of pharmacist. You should also see the manufacturer's information leaflet.
Updated 12.11