MAOIS AND TRYPTOPHAN
A number of patients have developed severe behavioural and neurological signs of toxicity (some similar to serotonin syndrome) after taking MAOIs with tryptophan, and fatalities have occurred.
It has been recommended that patients taking MAOIs should start treatment with a low dose of tryptophan (500 mg). This should be gradually increased while monitoring the patient for changes suggesting hypomania, and neurological changes, including ocular oscillations and upper motor neurone signs.
It has been recommended that patients taking MAOIs should start treatment with a low dose of tryptophan (500 mg). This should be gradually increased while monitoring the patient for changes suggesting hypomania, and neurological changes, including ocular oscillations and upper motor neurone signs.