food interaction
5 interactions related to food interaction
maoi + tyramine foods
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors block MAO-A in the gut and liver, the enzyme that normally breaks down dietary tyramine. Unmetabolized tyramine triggers a surge of stored norepinephrine, which can produce a hypertensive crisis (the 'cheese reaction') with severe blood pressure spikes, headache, and in serious cases stroke or death.
aged cheese + linezolid
Linezolid is a reversible, non-selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. Eating tyramine-rich foods such as aged cheese while on linezolid can cause a sudden, dangerous rise in blood pressure (hypertensive reaction).
fermented foods + maois
Fermented foods accumulate tyramine when bacteria break down the amino acid tyrosine during fermentation. MAOIs block the monoamine oxidase enzyme that normally clears dietary tyramine in the gut wall and liver, so the tyramine reaches the bloodstream and triggers a surge of norepinephrine. This can produce a sudden, dangerous rise in blood pressure (a hypertensive crisis).
cacao + maois
Raw or ceremonial cacao carries a somewhat higher load of biogenic amines such as tyramine than fully processed chocolate. Dietary analyses show that the tyramine content of cocoa and chocolate is generally low, and there is no documented human case of a hypertensive crisis from cacao on a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The sensible approach is moderation with raw or ceremonial cacao rather than blanket avoidance, reviewed with your prescriber.
kimchi + warfarin
Kimchi is fermented Napa cabbage and contains vitamin K1, the cofactor warfarin works against. Inconsistent kimchi intake can shift your INR and change warfarin's effect. The problem is not the food but the swings in how much you eat.