For clients taking phenelzine sulfate (Nardil), what type of food should be avoided to prevent hypertensive crisis?

Phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) used primarily to treat depression and anxiety disorders. One critical aspect of MAOI therapy is the necessity to avoid certain foods that can lead to hypertensive crises due to dangerous increases in blood pressure.

Foods rich in tyramine should be avoided because tyramine is an amino acid that can cause the release of norepinephrine when ingested. In individuals taking MAOIs, the metabolism of tyramine is inhibited, leading to elevated levels in the bloodstream. This can trigger a hypertensive crisis, characterized by severely elevated blood pressure along with symptoms such as headache, palpitations, and severe anxiety.

Common sources of tyramine include aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented foods, and certain alcoholic beverages. As a result, educating clients on these dietary restrictions is crucial to ensure their safety while on phenelzine sulfate. The other options—high-fiber foods, caffeine-rich beverages, and high-sugar foods—may have their own health implications but do not directly impact the metabolism of tyramine and the resultant risk of hypertensive crises associated with MAOI medications.