Interaction between moclobemide and oral tyramine in depressed patients

We investigated the pressor response to oral tyramine before and during treatment with moclobemide, a selective monoamine oxidase-A inhibitor, in 10 depressed patients. Before moclobemide therapy, tyramine was associated with a mean (SD) maximum rise in systolic blood pressure of 4.0 (5.2) mmHg, whereas during moclobemide treatment, tyramine was associated with an increase of 24.9 (14.2) mmHg. Only one subject failed to demonstrate an increased pressor response while taking moclobemide. Moclomebide potentiates the pressor response to oral tyramine, but is safer than older nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitors.