Interactions - antidepressants
Antidepressants can interact with other drugs and so you should talk to your doctor before starting or stopping any other medications, including over the counter medications such as pain killers.
MAOIs, in particular, can have severe interactions with medicines for coughs, colds, flu and hay fever, so always talk to your doctor before taking any medication or herbal remedy. MAOIs can cause drowsiness so care should be taken with any medication that can also cause drowsiness.
Tricyclic antidepressants can also cause drowsiness, so care should also be taken with any other medication that can cause drowsiness. Tricyclics can also interact with some antipsychotic medications, aspirin, some SSRIs and some cold and flu medications.
Medications that increase serotonin levels should be used together with care. This includes prescribed antidepressant medication and herbal remedies such as St John's Wort. Using these medications together can cause 'serotonin syndrome', which can cause flu-like symptoms and can have serious complications.
Sedation may be made worse with tricyclic antidepressants and alcohol. You should not drive or operate machinery in these circumstances.
Are there any foods I should avoid whilst taking an antidepressant?
SSRI's and tricyclics do not interact with any foods or non-alcoholic drinks. MAOIs interact with foods that contain an amino acid (protein) called tyramine. The MAOI prevents the tyramine being broken down so it builds up in your body. You need to be careful to avoid these. Foods that you should avoid if you are taking a MAOI include:
- Foods that are matured or may have started to go off;
- Cheese
- Meats that have been pickled, salted or badly hung, or which may not be fresh
- Liver that is not fresh (e.g. in liver pate)
- Banana skins and broad bean pods (but bananas and beans themselves are safe) and avocado pears
- Meat and yeast extracts, such as Oxo, Vegemite, Marmite or Bovril
