Yerba Mate Interactions

Yerba mate contains caffeine plus trace monoamine oxidase inhibitor-like compounds, but its bigger risk with prescription MAOIs (phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, selegiline) is its sympathomimetic load: caffeine, theobromine, and modest tyramine content can amplify the pressor response in patients with inhibited MAO. Combining the two can trigger hypertensive crisis or serotonergic adverse effects.