iproniazid

Iproniazid (Marsilid, Rivivol, Euphozid, Iprazid, Ipronid, Ipronin) is a non-selective, irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) of the hydrazine class. It is a xenobiotic that was originally designed to treat tuberculosis, but was later most prominently used as an antidepressant drug. However, it was withdrawn from the market because of its hepatotoxicity. The medical use of iproniazid was discontinued in most of the world in the 1960s, but remained in use in France until 2015.

== History == Iproniazid was originally developed for the treatment of tuberculosis, but in 1952, the compounds's antidepressant properties were discovered when researchers noted that patients became inappropriately happy when given isoniazid, a related antibiotic. Subsequently, adding a isopropyl chain onto isoniazid led to development as an antidepressant and was approved for use in 1958. It was withdrawn in most of the world a few years later in 1961 due to a high incidence of hepatitis, and was replaced by less hepatotoxic drugs such as phenelzine and isocarboxazid. Canada surprisingly withdrew iproniazid in July 1964 due to interactions with food products containing tyramine. Nevertheless, iproniazid has historic value as it helped establish the relationship between psychiatric disorders and the metabolism of neurotransmitters.