Posted by djmmm on April 9, 2007, at 8:58:51
In reply to Larry Hoover, can you help with MAOI blood Q, posted by UgottaHaveHope on April 9, 2007, at 3:21:01
> Larry, thanks. Before I started Nardil, the pdoc took a blood test, saying he could later on measure how much Nardil was making it through my body to my bloodstream. I understood by doing that, he could tell how effective the drug was in me.
>
> However, someone else said the level of Nardil in my bloodstream does not necessarily measure the effectiveness of it. Does any of this make sense to you?
I can answer your question. The blood test is to determine whether or not you are metabolizing nardil properly. There are specific, well established bioavailability/bioequivalency values for Nardil.When you say that "the level of Nardil in my bloodstream does not necessarily measure the effectiveness of it" this really means that the amount of MAO inhibition does not always correlate with effectiveness. This is because MAOIs also have direct effects on various neurotransmitter systems, independent of inhibiting monoamine oxidase. for example: nardil increases GABA, parnate stimulates catecholamine release. These secondary properties often play a greater role in the effectiveness of the medication.
poster:djmmm
thread:748340
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070407/msgs/748377.html