Interactions with Brewer's Yeast

Brewer's yeast contains a significant amount of tyramine, which should be avoided while on monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) therapy (Utermohlen 1999). MAOI medications include phenelzine, tranylcypromine, pargyline, selegiline, and isocarboxazid. In addition, brewer's yeast may interact with meperdine, a narcotic analgesic. The dangerous interaction between brewer's yeast and these medications could lead to "hypertensive crisis," a rapid and severe increase in blood pressure that is characterized by nausea, vomiting, headache, and palpitations. This reaction may result in a myocardial infarction or stroke.

References

Utermohlen V. Diet, Nutrition, and Drug Interactions. In: Shils M, Olson JA, Shike M, Ross AC, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 9th edition. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1999:1628-1629.

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