Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 4/25/2010

Question
I am considering a face lift. I take Nardil, a MAO inhibitor.  If I go off it, I will go into a major depression (my Psychiatrist tried many times to get me off the stuff but since the etiology of my depression is chemical as opposed to emotional, every time I’ve tried to go off Nardil, I end up in the hospital).  Are there any anesthetics which can be used with Nardil during a face lift procedure?  I had a Colonoscopy while on Nardil and the Anesthesiologist used propofol.

Answer
You can do anesthesia on a patient on Nardil. Just make sure the anesthesiologist knows that you are still taking the medicine and can't come off it. They will tailor the anesthetic accordingly.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston