5-hydroxytryptophan
Drug group: Nutritional supplement
5-hydroxytryptophan also known as 5-HTP, is a dietary supplement made from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia
hydroxytryptophan has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating depression or fibromyalgia
Other uses not proven with research have included insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, headaches, premenstrual syndrome, binge-eating related to obesity, attention deficit disorder, and muscle spasms in the mouth
It is not certain whether 5-hydroxytryptophan is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. 5-hydroxytryptophan should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor
hydroxytryptophan is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination
hydroxytryptophan has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating depression or fibromyalgia
Other uses not proven with research have included insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, headaches, premenstrual syndrome, binge-eating related to obesity, attention deficit disorder, and muscle spasms in the mouth
It is not certain whether 5-hydroxytryptophan is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. 5-hydroxytryptophan should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor
hydroxytryptophan is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination
Mechanism of effect
hydroxytryptophan is precursor of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine); boosts serotonin levels in CNS
Drug indications
Anxiety, cerebellar ataxia, depression, fibromyalgia syndrome (primary), headaches (migraine/tension), myoclonus (intention/post-anoxic), Ramsey-Hunt syndrome, seizure disorder (adjunctive therapy), sleep disorders
Drug contraindications
None reported
Side effects
Although not all side effects are known, 5-hydroxytryptophan is thought to be possibly safe when taken for a short period of time
Stop using 5-hydroxytryptophan and call your doctor at once if you have:
severe tingling or numbness
skin rash, bruising, fever
muscle pain or weakness
Common side effects may include:
drowsiness
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, heartburn
diarrhea
loss of interest in sex
Stop using 5-hydroxytryptophan and call your doctor at once if you have:
severe tingling or numbness
skin rash, bruising, fever
muscle pain or weakness
Common side effects may include:
drowsiness
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, heartburn
diarrhea
loss of interest in sex
Interactions
Sibutramine , Tapentadol , Dolasetron , Palonosetron , Dexfenfluramine , Levomilnacipran , Amitriptyline , Isoniazid , Imipramine , Buspirone , Paroxetine , Trazodone , st. john's wort , lofepramine , Fenfluramine , eletriptan , Mirtazapine , cocaine , L-Tryptophan , Milnacipran , Nefazodone , Dextroamphetamine , Pentazocine , Naratriptan , Almotriptan , Frovatriptan , isocarboxazid , methylene blue , rasagiline , protriptyline , morphine , meperidine , escitalopram , ergotamine , Linezolid , lithium , Phenelzine , Amoxapine , Fluvoxamine , Fluoxetine , Maprotiline , Nortriptyline , Venlafaxine , Clomipramine , Dihydroergotamine , Rizatriptan , Sertraline , Selegiline , Cyproheptadine , Citalopram , Tramadol , Tranylcypromine , Trimipramine , Desipramine , Duloxetine , Doxepin , carbidopa , lasmiditanAlerts
Avoid using 5-hydroxytryptophan with other herbal/health supplements that can cause drowsiness. This includes California poppy, catnip, chamomile, gotu kola, Jamaican dogwood, kava, melatonin, St. John's wort, skullcap (or scullcap), valerian, yerba mansa, and others
Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use
Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use
Points of recommendation
Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have
Down syndrome
a nerve-muscle disorder
problems with your muscles
Taking 5-hydroxytryptophan while you are pregnant is possibly unsafe. Do not use this product if you are pregnant
Taking 5-hydroxytryptophan while you are breast-feeding is possibly unsafe. Do not use this product if you are breast-feeding a baby
Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without the advice of a doctor
If you choose to use 5-hydroxytryptophan, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label
Do not use different forms (tablets, liquid, tincture, teas, etc) of 5-hydroxytryptophan at the same time without medical advice. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose
Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with 5-hydroxytryptophan does not
improve, or if it gets worse while using this product
If you need surgery, stop taking 5-hydroxytryptophan at least 2 weeks ahead of time
Down syndrome
a nerve-muscle disorder
problems with your muscles
Taking 5-hydroxytryptophan while you are pregnant is possibly unsafe. Do not use this product if you are pregnant
Taking 5-hydroxytryptophan while you are breast-feeding is possibly unsafe. Do not use this product if you are breast-feeding a baby
Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without the advice of a doctor
If you choose to use 5-hydroxytryptophan, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label
Do not use different forms (tablets, liquid, tincture, teas, etc) of 5-hydroxytryptophan at the same time without medical advice. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose
Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with 5-hydroxytryptophan does not
improve, or if it gets worse while using this product
If you need surgery, stop taking 5-hydroxytryptophan at least 2 weeks ahead of time
Pregnancy level
HAVE NOT BEEN ESTABLISHEDTaking 5-hydroxytryptophan while you are pregnant is possibly unsafe. Do not use this product if you are pregnant
Breast feeding warning
Taking 5-hydroxytryptophan while you are breast-feeding is possibly unsafe. Do not use this product if you are breast-feeding a baby
Drug forms
L-5-HTP, oxitriptan, Tript-OH
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