INH, isoniazid, is an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis already present as well as help prevent it when you were exposed to the bacteria. As with any medication, some of your food choices can affect how your medication works, and potentially cause side effects. When prescribed INH, you need to avoid foods high in tyramine to prevent dangerous hypertensive episodes.
INH
It is important that you take the complete dose of INH your doctor prescribes, even if you start to feel better because it can take six to 12 months to kill all the bacteria. INH can cause serious damage to your liver so before taking INH, let your doctor know if you have a history of liver disease, alcohol abuse or intravenous drug use.
Tyramine and INH
Tyramine is an amino acid that helps regulate your blood pressure. It is found naturally in your body as well as in food. When taking INH, tyramine blood levels can increase, which can lead to a sudden and dangerous increase in blood pressure. To limit your risk of a serious hypertensive episode, it is recommended that you avoid foods high in tyramine when taking INH.
Tyramine-Rich Foods to Avoid
Tyramine is found in many foods, but aged foods and ones containing yeast tend to have the highest amounts. When taking INH, you should avoid all beer and aged cheeses, such as cheddar, blue cheese, Gorgonzola, Camembert and brie. You should also avoid aged, pickled or dried meats such as salami, pepperoni, summer sausage and meat jerky. Also avoid tofu and soy sauce, along with kimchi --- a fermented cabbage, sauerkraut and yeast extracts. Fave beans and broad Italian beans are also high in tyramine and should be avoided when taking INH.
Other Foods to Avoid
In addition to tyramine, it is also recommended that you avoid alcohol when taking INH due to its ill effects on your liver. In addition, you should also avoid foods high in histamine, such as tuna, skipjack and other tropical fish, because these can lead to hypotension, sweating, headaches or rapid heartbeat when taken with INH. Your doctor may also suggest you limit your caffeine intake.
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