A senior pharmacy lecturer has issued a vital warning to the millions of people across the UK prescribed a specific class of antidepressants, highlighting a potentially dangerous interaction with a common food ingredient.
The Scale of Antidepressant Use
Prescriptions for antidepressants are at a record high, with data showing that in England alone, approximately 8.7 to 8.8 million people received them during the 2023/24 period. This number forms part of a steady, nationwide rise in the use of these medications for conditions including depression and anxiety.
The Specific Drug Warning
The alert specifically concerns patients taking older-style antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The drugs named are phenelzine, isocarboxazid, and tranylcypromine.
Dipa Kamdar, a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at Kingston University, explained the risk in detail. She noted that these MAOI medications work by blocking enzymes that normally break down a substance called tyramine. Tyramine is found naturally in the body and in various aged, cured, or fermented foods.
The Hidden Danger in Healthy Foods
While many people focus on avoiding aged cheeses and cured meats, Kamdar pointed out that certain healthy legumes can also be high in tyramine. These include soybeans, broad beans (fava beans), and snow peas.
"If patients eat tyramine-rich foods, this may result in high levels of tyramine, potentially leading to a dangerous rise in blood pressure," she stated, emphasising that only MAOI antidepressants are affected by this interaction.
Balancing Nutrition and Safety
Kamdar was careful to stress that beans and legumes are highly nutritious, offering plant-based protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. They contribute to heart health, digestion, and weight management.
Her crucial advice, however, is for patients not to make drastic dietary changes without professional consultation. "Just be sure to consult with a doctor or pharmacist before drastically changing your diet – particularly if you take prescription medications," she advised.
This warning underscores the importance of patients being fully aware of their specific medication type and maintaining open communication with healthcare professionals about their diet and overall treatment plan.
