Tyramine
Tyramine (4-hydroxy-
phenethylamine) is a
monoamine compound derived from the
amino acid tyrosine, that is a member of the
phenethylamine family. It occurs widely in
plants and
animals and is metabolized by
monoamine oxidase. If this process is compromised by the use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors and foods high in tyramine are ingested, a
hypertensive crisis can result.
