Background

Tyramine is a chemical found in the body. It's also found in fermented foods and drinks, like beer and cheese. It can also be made in a lab.

Tyramine helps the brain and nervous system function normally. High levels of tyramine can cause blood vessels to tighten, which increases blood pressure.

People use tyramine for weight loss and athletic performance, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Tyramine is possibly safe when consumed in amounts found in foods. Meals that contain no more than 600 mg of tyramine are considered safe for most people. But eating more than 600 mg of tyramine per meal is possibly unsafe. This might increase the risk for side effects, including high blood pressure and headache.

There isn't enough reliable information to know if tyramine supplements are safe to use.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if tyramine is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

High blood pressure: Tyramine might increase blood pressure. Taking tyramine supplements might make high blood pressure worse.

Migraine headaches: Taking tyramine might cause migraine headaches, especially in people who suffer from migraines. Don't take tyramine supplements if you get migraines.

Surgery: Tyramine might increase blood pressure. In theory, taking tyramine might interfere with surgery by increasing blood pressure. Stop taking tyramine supplements at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

Tyramine is naturally found in many foods and drinks, including aged cheese and wine and beer. In supplements, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of tyramine might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Alcohol (Ethanol)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The body breaks down tyramine to get rid of it. Alcohol might slow down how quickly the body gets rid of tyramine. This might increase the risk for side effects from tyramine.

Medications for depression (MAOIs)

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

Tyramine can increase blood pressure. Some medications used for depression can stop the body from breaking down tyramine. Taking tyramine with these medications might increase levels of tyramine and increase the risk for serious side effects.
Some common MAOIs include phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

Tyramine might increase blood pressure. Taking tyramine might reduce the effects of blood pressure medications. Monitor your blood pressure closely.

Stimulant drugs

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine, speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can increase blood pressure and speed up the heartbeat. Tyramine can also speed up the nervous system. Taking tyramine along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements with stimulant properties: Stimulant herbs and supplements speed up the nervous system and can cause a jittery feeling and a rapid heartbeat. Tyramine might also speed up the nervous system. Taking tyramine along with stimulant herbs and supplements might cause serious problems including high blood pressure.

Interactions with foods

Don't take tyramine supplements along with foods that contain large amounts of tyramine. It might increase the risk of developing dangerously high blood pressure. Foods that contain tyramine include aged cheeses, fermented meats, soy sauce, tofu, and others. Drinks that contain tyramine include wine and beer.