What dietary restriction is necessary for patients taking MAOIs?

Patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) must avoid tyramine-rich foods due to the risk of hypertensive crisis. MAOIs work by inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which breaks down monoamines such as norepinephrine and serotonin. When a patient on MAOIs consumes foods high in tyramine, such as aged cheeses, fermented products, cured meats, and certain alcoholic beverages, the unbroken tyramine can lead to excessive release of norepinephrine. This sudden increase can cause dangerously high blood pressure and other serious cardiovascular effects. Therefore, avoiding tyramine-rich foods is a critical dietary restriction for anyone under treatment with MAOIs to prevent these potentially life-threatening reactions.