Tyramine

Tyramine (4-hydroxyphenethylamine; para-tyramine, mydrial or uteramin) is a naturally occurring monoamine compound and trace amine derived from the amino acid tyrosine. Tyramine acts by inducing the release of catecholamine. An important characteristic of this product is its impediment to cross the blood-brain barrier which restrains its side effects to only nonpsychoactive peripheral sympathomimetic effects. There have been reports of hypertensive crisis in patients ingesting tyramine-rich diet in conjunction with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).