Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, more commonly known as MAOIs, are an older class of antidepressants that are not prescribed as readily as they once were because taking them requires you to keep a close eye on your diet and avoid certain foods. For some people with atypical depression, however, MAOIs are the only antidepressants that work. Some kinds of MAOIs have fewer dietary restrictions. If you are taking MAOIs, your doctor can help you design a diet that is best for you.
What MAOIs Do
According to Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, a psychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic, MAOIs work by blocking an enzyme in your body called monoamine oxidase. Monoamine oxidase removes the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine in your brain; therefore, blocking monoamine oxidase increases the availability of these neurotransmitters, which may alleviate depression. Monoamine oxidase also processes tyramine, an amino acid that helps regulate blood pressure. Tyramine occurs in some foods and also occurs naturally in your body. If you eat tyramine-rich foods while taking MAOIs, your body will be unable to break down tyramine quickly enough, which can make you sick.
Foods to Avoid
Fermented or aged foods tend to be high in tyramine. These foods include sauerkraut, pickles, soy sauce, tofu and tempeh, most hard cheeses, yeast spreads like Marmite, cured meats like salami or pepperoni, and alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer. Spoiled or improperly stored foods can also be high in tyramine. You should avoid broad beans, also called fava beans. Some over-the-counter medications can also interact with MAOIs. Your doctor can give you a complete list of foods and drugs to avoid while you're taking MAOIs.
Warning Signs
If you have too much tyramine in your system, your blood pressure will rise sharply. Symptoms of excess tyramine include a severe, often throbbing headache, nausea and vomiting, heart palpitations, neck stiffness, sweating or confusion. On rare occasions a brain hemorrhage, stroke or even death can occur. If you're taking MAOIs, talk to a doctor immediately if you feel ill after eating tyramine-rich foods.
MAOI Patch
Most forms of MAOIs come in pill form, but an MAOI that is administered in a skin patch and sold under the brand name Emsam is also available. According to a 2006 article in "Psychiatric News," because your body absorbs the medication in the skin patch directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system, you may have fewer dietary restrictions while taking the medication, especially at lower doses. The skin patch is available in 6-, 9- and 12-mg daily doses, and the 6-mg dose is not labeled with any dietary warnings. Your doctor can determine whether an MAOI skin patch would work for you.
Member Comments