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MAOI dietary counselling — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardCNS TherapeuticsMAOI dietary counsellingGPhC CRA

A 50-year-old man starts phenelzine for treatment-resistant depression. He asks whether there are any food or medicine interactions he should understand. What would you advise the patient?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — Avoid tyramine-rich foods and seek advice before OTC sympathomimetics

Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and can interact with tyramine-rich foods, causing hypertensive reactions. Sympathomimetic decongestants such as pseudoephedrine can also be hazardous. The patient needs clear counselling and should check before taking OTC medicines. St John's wort is unsuitable with antidepressants due to interaction risk.

Reference: BNF