Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors were the first antidepressant drugs invented. While they are quite effective, they can be dangerous if combined with the wrong foods, drugs, or supplements. The substance tyramine, found in some cheeses, beer, fermented soy products, and other foods, is particularly dangerous to combine with these medications. Stimulant drugs such as pseudoephedrine can also cause problems.

Antidepressants in this family include furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine sulfate (Nardil), and tranylcypromine sulfate (Parnate) among others.

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Ephedra  

Dangerous Interaction

Because it contains the stimulant ephedrine, combining the herb ephedra with MAO inhibitors can rapidly produce a severe, dangerous interaction and must be avoided. 1 In the US, it is illegal to sell products containing ephedra.

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Scotch Broom  

Dangerous Interaction

The herb scotch broom contains high levels of tyramine, so it should not be taken with MAO inhibitors. 2

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