MAO Inhibitor Food Restrictions TOTALLY AVOID THE FOLLOWING

FOODS and DRUGS to TOTALLY AVOID

 


Meats and Fish

Aged, pickled, and preserved meats such as pepperoni, pastrami, corned beef, beef jerky

All kinds of liver and pate

Snails (escargot)

Caviar,

Pickled herring beef jerky, liver (chicken, calf and beef)

Any fish or meat that has been refrigerated for over 24-hours

 

Fruits and Vegetables

Chinese pea pods, fava beans, Italian broad beans,

Raisin and other dried fruits

Tofu, miso, sauerkraut, brewer’s yeast (bread and cake are OK)

Overripe fruits especially bananas and avocadoes

Canned figs

 

Beverages

Red wine,

Beer and ale (including alcohol free)

Sherry

Brandy--- including fruit brandies

Cognac

Liqueurs,

One or two drinks containing white wine, gin or vodka are OK

 

Dairy Products

Aged cheeses such as cheddar, Parmesan, Blue, Gruyere. (The following cheeses are OK: cream, cottage, farmer, process American, ricotta, Cheez-Wiz)

Sour cream.

Frozen yogurt (regular yogurt is OK until the expiration date)

 

Miscellaneous

Soy sauce (You may eat Chinese food, but make sure that there are no pea pods and request that soy sauce not be used)

Marmite

Bovril

Licorice

Chocolate (3 oz of American chocolate is OK) European chocolate is dangerous

 

DRUGS to Avoid

Demerol

Cold preparations containing decongestants

Cough medications containing decongestants, dextromethorphan or Demerol (Plain Robitussin is OK)

Sinus medications

Nose drops or nasal sprays

Nasal decongestants . . . steroid sprays are OK

Diet pills

Amphetamines---“speed”

Cocaine---“crack”

 

NOTES

  1. Please ask your doctor or dentist to phone your psychiatrist before prescribing any medication
  2. Aspirin (plain or buffered), Tylenol, and all antibiotics are OK
  3. When you go to the dentist, you may take gas or a local anesthetic that DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY EPINIPHERINE
  4. Please phone your psychiatrist if you have any questions about this list
  5. Revised 1/29/05