In: Nursing
Ms. Jones has been taking MAO inhibitors for several weeks when she calls the clinic because she has developed a severe headache, heart palpitations, dilated pupils, tachycardia, chest pain, and sweating after attending a wine and cheese tasting event.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor inhibits monoamine oxidase enzyme A
and monoamine oxidase enzyme B and is prescribed in various
neuropsychiatric disorders.
When a food interferes with the action of the drug this is know as
drug food interaction.
a. Substances such as cheese and alcoholic beverages are known to
interact with MAOI and cause hypertensive crisis. The treatment
includes infusion of iv fluids. If the respiratory failure symptoms
are seen provide endotracheal intubation. To control the blood
pressure short-acting antihypertensive agent, such as
nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, or phentolamine are recommended.
Benzodiazepines help control seizure and reduce blood
pressure.
b. Cheese and alcoholic beverage contains tyramine. Tyramine
metabolism is inhibited by MAOI which results in increased
epinephrine release. This causes elevated blood pressure and
vasoconstriction resulting in hypertensive crisis.