Posted by Jedi on August 1, 2007, at 2:15:53
In reply to After quitting an MAO-I when can you eat normally?, posted by brooke484 on July 31, 2007, at 20:56:22
> Does anyone know? My doctor said 2 weeks, but why so long?
>
> Thanks,
> brookeHi brooke,
Even though the medication is out of your system quicker, it takes up to two weeks for the monoamine oxidase to build back up in your system. This is with the irreversible MAOIs such as Nardil, Parnate and Marplan. Irreversible means that once the monoamine oxidase is destroyed it has to be created again from scratch. Monoamine oxidase is what breaks down the neurotransmitters in the brain and inhibiting it causes an increase in the level of those neurotransmitters. Monoamine oxidase also breaks down other amines in the body, among these are tyramine. Since tyramine acts as a vasoconstrictor(causes a narrowing of of a blood vessel), an increased tyramine level will cause an increase in blood pressure. A large increase in BP can cause a stroke. So, to be safe, wait the two weeks.
Take care,
Jedi
poster:Jedi
thread:773180
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070730/msgs/773228.html