Is Picamilon an MAO Inhibitor?

Treated as a prescription drug in Russia, Picamilon is sold in the United States as a dietary supplement.

History of Picamilon

• The All-Union Scientific Research Institute of the Soviet Union first developed Picamilon in the late 1960s. The clinical use of Picamilon started in the1980s.

MAO Inhibitors

• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors prevent the breakdown of natural amines in the nervous system. Certain ingredients in St John's Wort can act similarly.

MAO Inhibitors Indications

• MAO inhibitors generally help to treat clinical depression and anxiety, but may also be used in migraine prevention or Parkinson's disease. Examples include: phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan).

Nature of Picamilon

• Picamilon is the brand name for sodium N-nicotinyl-gamma-aminobutyrate. It is a combination of GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) and niacin (or nicotinic acid), a B vitamin.

Picamilon Mode of Action

• Once it crosses the blood-brain barrier, picamilon is hydrolyzed into GABA and niacin. The released GABA theoretically produces an anti-anxiety effect. The released niacin increases blood vessel dilation, which can help treat migraine headaches

Considerations

• While different in their nature, MAO inhibitors and Picamilon have some similar effects. Note, however, that the effects of Picamilon manifest fairly quickly, both because of the synergy between the niacin and GABA molecules and the fact that it crosses the blood-brain barrier.