Answer: D - Patients who are taking MAOIs should not take another drug with any appreciable sympathomimetic activity; nicardipine which is a calcium channel blocker used as an antihypertensive has no sympathomimetic effect and can be taken safely with an MAOI.
The other choices do have sympathomimetic activity and are contraindicated when taking an MAOI. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are an extremely strong class of antidepressants that treat depression by preventing the breakdown of the brain chemicals serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
The combination of a MAOI and alcohol can cause a spike in blood pressure and balancing taking an anti depressant and the need to drink can be an major issue for recovery.
