Epidural anaesthesia, ephedrine and phenylephrine in a patient taking moclobemide, a new monoamine oxidase inhibitor

Abstract

We report a case of low thoracic epidural and general anaesthesia in a patient receiving moclobemide, a new selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A. Intra-operative hypotension was initially treated with phenylephrine and then with ephedrine. The short half-life of moclobemide and its modest interaction with direct and indirect acting sympathomimetic drugs permit the use of epidural anaesthesia, since any associated hypotension can be safely treated.