NCIt definition : A hydrazine derivative and a potent non-selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor
with anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. Phenelzine sulfate irreversibly binds
to MAO, thereby blocking the oxidative deamination of monoamines resulting in an increased
concentration of biogenic amines and a concurrent decrease in catabolism of monoamine
neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and serotonin, in the brain. In addition, through
its primary metabolite phenylethylidenehyrazine (PEH), phenelzine causes elevated
GABA levels in the caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens thereby exerting its anxiolytic
effects.;