5-hydroxytryptophan

Generic name: 5-hydroxytryptophan

Usage of 5-hydroxytryptophan

5-hydroxytryptophan, also known as 5-HTP, is a dietary supplement made from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia.

5-hydroxytryptophan has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating depression.

Other uses not proven with research have included anxiety, down syndrome, alcohol withdrawal, alzheimer disease, headaches, attention deficit disorder, muscle spasms in mouth, fibromyalgia, premenstrual syndrome, seizures, weight loss, parkinson's disease, and sleep disorders.

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.

5-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.

5-hydroxytryptophan may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

5-hydroxytryptophan side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Stop using 5-hydroxytryptophan and call your healthcare provider at once if you have:

slow heart rate, feeling like you might pass out;

skin rash, bruising; or

racing thoughts, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, risk-taking behavior, being agitated or talkative.

Common side effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan may include:

drowsiness, sleep problems (insomnia);

headache, dizziness, weakness;

altered sense of taste, appetite or weight change;

muscle problems;

severe vomiting, stomach pain, heartburn;

diarrhea, constipation; or

sexual problems.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking 5-hydroxytryptophan

Before using 5-hydroxytryptophan, talk to your healthcare provider. You may not be able to use this product if you have certain medical conditions.

Tell your doctor if you also use stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with 5-hydroxytryptophan could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

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 breastfeeding a baby.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

Warnings

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.

What other drugs will affect 5-hydroxytryptophan

Taking this product with any medicine that makes you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking 5-hydroxytryptophan with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Do not take 5-hydroxytryptophan without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

drugs that affect serotonin, such as antidepressants, stimulants, or medicine for migraines or parkinson's disease.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect 5-hydroxytryptophan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.