Durian Consumption With Paracetamol Or Antidepressants Poses Life-Threatening Risk
Health officials warn that eating durian while taking paracetamol or certain antidepressants can cause severe, even fatal, reactions. The fruit may lower blood pressure when mixed with paracetamol, and raise it to dangerous levels when combined with MAOI antidepressants. Consumers are advised to separate intake by a few hours and to consult a physician before mixing durian with medication.
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a common over-the-counter drug that reduces fever and relieves pain, available in tablets, capsules, liquids and suppositories. Antidepressants, particularly MAOI types, are prescription medicines used for depression, anxiety and related disorders and can cause side effects such as headache, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth and changes in weight or libido. Durian is a tropical fruit popular in Thailand; it contains carbohydrates, sugars, fiber, potassium, vitamin C, B vitamins, phenolic compounds, carotenoids and sulfur-containing compounds that give it its strong smell. Eating durian together with paracetamol may cause a rapid drop in body temperature or blood pressure, so a gap of two to three hours is recommended. Combining durian with MAOI antidepressants can raise tyramine levels, leading to a dangerous spike in blood pressure that might trigger a cerebral hemorrhage. Anyone taking these medicines should ask a doctor before eating durian to avoid serious health risks.
