Which antidepressant can cause a hypertensive crisis when tyramine-containing foods are ingested?

The correct response is that monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can cause a hypertensive crisis when ingested with tyramine-containing foods. MAOIs work by inhibiting the activity of monoamine oxidase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and tyramine. When these inhibitors are taken, tyramine can accumulate in the body.

Tyramine is found in various foods such as aged cheeses, cured meats, and certain alcoholic beverages. Normally, the consumption of these foods is harmless because monoamine oxidase breaks down tyramine. However, when a person taking MAOIs consumes tyramine-rich foods, this can lead to excessive levels of norepinephrine, resulting in a hypertensive crisis. Symptoms of this crisis can include severe headache, blurred vision, palpitations, and heart arrhythmias, which can be life-threatening if not managed promptly.

The other types of antidepressants listed, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), do not have this specific interaction with tyramine. While some tricyclic antidepressants can affect norepine