Parnate requires restricting foods high in tyramine to prevent:

• A. Hypertensive crisis
• B. Serotonin syndrome
• C. Electrolyte imbalance
• D. Liver toxicity

Answer: (A)

Parnate is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, so it blocks the breakdown of tyramine in the gut. When someone eats foods high in tyramine, tyramine can enter the bloodstream in larger amounts and cause a surge of norepinephrine release. That sudden increase can trigger a dangerous rise in blood pressure, known as a hypertensive crisis. That’s why restricting tyramine-rich foods is essential with MAOI therapy. Serotonin syndrome would come from interactions with other serotonergic medications, not from tyramine alone; electrolyte imbalance and liver toxicity aren’t the primary risks addressed by tyramine restriction in this context.