Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are antidepressants used to treat atypical depression when all the other antidepressants drugs have failed, according to Netdoctor.co.uk. MAOIs are not a first line treatment for depression because they often interact with foods containing tyramine, leading to a hypertensive crisis that could result in stroke or death. Tyramine is an amino acid that is mainly found in foods that are aged, fermented and spoiled.
Dairy Products and Meats
If you are taking MAOIs such as Parnate and Nardil you should avoid sour cream, aged cheese and matured cheese because they contain high amounts of tyramine, according to MayoClinic.com. You may be allowed to eat mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, American processed cheese and ricotta, but do not eat aged cheese that has been in the fridge for more than three weeks. Avoid liver, smoked meat, pickled meats and cured meats such as pepperoni, salami and sausages while you are taking an MAOI. Instead, choose fresh meat, fish and poultry that has not been stored in the refrigerator for more than four days.
Fruits and Vegetables
If you are taking MAOI antidepressants you should avoid certain fermented and pickled vegetables, according to MayoClinic.com. Examples of foods to avoid include foods containing monosodium glutamate, soy bean sauce, tempeh, yeast extracts, teriyaki sauce, miso soup and sauerkraut. Some fruits also contain tyramine. These fruits include avocados and bananas.
Beer and Wine
Avoid use beer and wine while taking an MAOI as they are fermented beverages containing large amounts of tyramine, according to MayoClinic.com. Check with your physician; you may be allowed one to two servings of beer and wine per day. Tap beer or unpasteurized beer should be avoided.
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