Posted by djmmm on January 8, 2003, at 9:39:27
In reply to question about Nardil diet??, posted by Tepiaca on January 8, 2003, at 0:48:56
Yes and No. For example, I have been taking a MAOI (first Nardil, now Parnate) for 3 or so years. I have never had a hypertensive reaction to ANY food (including tap beer, cheese, ) or medication (including pseudofed).
It seems that you are either sensitive to the effects of pressor amines, or are not...kind of like serotonin syndrome, you are either sensitive to the effects of serotonin or you aren't, and like serotonin syndrome, a hypertensive reaction is rare, ( and if it does occur, it is mild)
When the diet first came out, a study was done to see how effective it was. I believe the incidence of hypertensive crisis was 8% out of the test population before the diet and 3% AFTER the diet was imposed. Bethune HC, Burrell RH, Culpan RH, et al (1964). Vascular crisis associated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Am J Psychiatry 121:245-8.
Not that significant in my opnion.
To be honest, like most MAOI users, you may need to test your tolerance (to tyramine,etc) by trying small amounts of food, beer, etc.
here is a link, it gives the tyramine content of various food, and the average amount that causes a hypertensive response
poster:djmmm
thread:134917
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030106/msgs/134944.html