Clinical overview on moclobemide.

1. Moclobemide is a novel benzamide reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A and has clinical efficacy in a wide spectrum of depressive illness including endogenous and non-endogenous depression, in younger adults and in the elderly. 2. Comparisons have shown similar efficacy to all main classes of antidepressants and much greater tolerability and safety in overdose than tricyclic antidepressants. Clinically, it is neither sedative nor alerting. 3. There is no need for dietary restrictions for patients on moclobemide on a normal diet, and drug interactions are few and usually mild. Specific cautions are noted with pethidine and with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor antidepressants. 4. Moclobemide is a useful addition to the range of antidepressants in clinical practice.