title: Will amitriptyline prevent the "cheese" reaction of monoamine-oxidase inhibitors?
abstract: Administration of amitriptyline greatly diminished the pressor response to intravenous tyramine in patients receiving monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Dothiepin and trimipramine, however, produced little change in sensitivity to tyramine. It is suggested that a combination of amitriptyline and an MAOI, started together in a modest dose that is then increased, may protect patients against the potential dangers of eating tyramine-containing foods. However, because MAOIs allow a high proportion of ingested tyramine to be absorbed into the systemic circulation, patients treated with MAOIs, even in combination with amitriptyline, should not be encouraged to eat foods containing tyramine.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002611:Cheese / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014439:Tyramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D000639:Amitriptyline; D014439:Tyramine