Which medications inhibit both MAOa and MAOb?

The correct choice includes Isocaboxazid, Phenelzine, and Tranylcypromine, which are all monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) that inhibit both monoamine oxidase type A (MAOa) and type B (MAOb). These medications are primarily used to treat depression when other antidepressants have not been effective. Each of these drugs works by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain, which can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Understanding the role of MAOIs is crucial, as they require dietary restrictions to avoid hypertensive crises caused by tyramine-rich foods. This makes identifying these drugs significant in understanding pharmacological treatments for mood disorders.

The other options contain different classes of antidepressants; for instance, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which primarily target serotonin reuptake rather than inhibiting MAO enzymes. Similarly, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and doxepin are tricyclic antidepressants that do not act broadly on MAO enzymes but rather on neurotransmitter reuptake mechanisms. Finally, citalop