Drugs and Foods that Produce Serotonergic Crises when Combined with MAOIs

• L-dopa

• Tyramine containing foods and beverages

• Variety of sympathomimetic agents occurring in prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs; i.e. stimulants, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine

Pts should avoid all matured or aged foods, like cheese and sausages and dried salty fish.

These foods contain tyramine, which is metabolized by MAO enzymes in the liver.

Plus, there are a whole bunch of reactions that have also been reported with many other things. These things can probably be used in small quantities, but should be used with caution.

(A complete list of drugs and foods to avoid can be found on-line.)

Real problems are beer and red wines.

White wines are usually OK in small amounts.

Category: Pharmacology Notes