What class of antidepressant must NOT be taken with foods high in tyramine?

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of antidepressants that require significant dietary restrictions, particularly regarding foods high in tyramine. This is due to the way MAOIs function in the brain. They inhibit the monoamine oxidase enzyme, which is responsible for breaking down neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, as well as tyramine.

When tyramine is consumed while taking an MAOI, it can lead to dangerously high levels of tyramine in the body, potentially causing a hypertensive crisis—a sudden and severe increase in blood pressure. Common foods that are high in tyramine include aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented products, and certain alcoholic beverages.

Thus, it is critical for patients on MAOIs to avoid such foods to prevent adverse reactions. The other classes of antidepressants listed—Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors, and Tricyclic Antidepressants—do not have the same interaction with tyramine, making MAOIs uniquely significant in this regard.