Linezolid is a prescription antibiotic available in generic form and as the brand Zyvox. It is used to treat certain types of bacterial infections, including a specific kind of pneumonia, complicated skin infections and infections resistant to other antibiotics. Linezolid interacts with tyramine, so you'll need to restrict your intake of foods containing tyramine while using this antibiotic.
Linezolid
Linezolid is classified as an oxazolidinone antibacterial drug; it stops the growth of bacteria. Unlike more commonly prescribed antibiotics, linezolid is also a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, or MAOI. These drugs inhibit the action of an enzyme that breaks down serotonin in the brain, thus elevating serotonin levels. You shouldn't take linezolid if you also take medications that elevate serotonin levels, such as antidepressants. High serotonin levels can be dangerous. In addition, some antidepressants are also MAOIs, and you shouldn't combine linezolid with them either. Linezolid interacts with tyramine as well.
Tyramine
Tyramine develops naturally in foods containing protein as the food ages and the protein breaks down. The main sources of tyramine are aged and fermented foods, and tyramine content tends to rise the longer a food ages. Tyramine constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure; some people prone to migraine headaches can prevent migraines by avoiding tyramine. Usually your body would use monoamine oxidase to convert tyramine to a harmless substance, but taking an MAOI drug prevents this process.
Interaction
Combining tyramine with linezolid can cause dangerous increases in blood pressure. Certain symptoms that occur when you take linezolid call for immediate medical attention, according to Drugs.com. These include a severe headache, rapid or irregular heart rate, heart palpitations, chest pain, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sweating, dilated pupils or sensitivity to light. Avoid eating foods with high amounts of tyramine while taking linezolid and for two weeks after you stop taking the drug, because the medication can linger in the body that long.
Problem Foods and Beverages
Aged cheeses, such as blue cheese and sharp cheddar, are a primary source of tyramine. Cheese, meat and other protein-rich foods that have started to spoil also contain high levels of tyramine. Pickled, fermented, smoked and dried foods and processed meats contain tyramine as well. Some of these include sausage, salami, liver, sauerkraut, yogurt, sour cream, raisins, canned figs, soy sauce, fermented soy products and olives. Some other foods that have tyramine include fava beans, Italian broad beans, Chinese pea pods, bananas and avocados.
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