Effect of nonselective and selective inhibitors of monoamine oxidases A and B on pethidine toxicity in mice.

The LD50 of pethidine was determined in mice pretreated (4 h) either with the nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, phenelzine or with clorgyline, a selective inhibitor of MAO A or deprenyl, a selective inhibitor of MAO B. Phenelzine or combined clorgyline plus deprenyl pretreatments decreased pethidine LD50. Clorgyline or deprenyl alone did not affect pethidine toxicity.