Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and aged cheeses
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of drugs that act as anti-depressants, being effective in treating panic disorder, social phobia and Parkinson’s disease as well. They were the first type of antidepressant developed. The most common MAOIs include Nardil (phenelzine), Emsam (selegiline), or Parnate (tranylcypromine).
However, if you take this type of medication, you should reduce foods that contain tyramine – which is an amino acid that helps regulate blood pressure. Tyramine and MAOIs interaction can lead to a hypertensive crisis (a hypertensive crisis can also cause a stroke due to high blood pressure). The most common foods that contain tyramine include aged cheese, certain types of wine, pickled herring, fava beans, and brewer’s yeast.
Nonetheless, they have generally been replaced by other antidepressants that cause fewer side effects.
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