What is 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 an aid to relieve the symptoms of
anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, insomnia, chronic headaches, premenstrual syndrome, binge-eating
related to obesity, attention deficit disorder, and chronic headaches. 5-hydroxytryptophan has also
been used in treating certain seizures and symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Not all uses for 5-hydroxytryptophan have been approved by the FDA. 5-hydroxytryptophan should not be substituted for medications 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 other purposes not listed in this product guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking 5-hydroxytryptophan?
Do not use this product if you are allergic to 5-hydroxytryptophan or if you have:
Before using 5-hydroxytryptophan, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other
healthcare provider about all of your medication conditions. 5-hydroxytryptophan may cause seizures
in people with Down syndrome.
It is not known whether 5-hydroxytryptophan is harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this
product without talking to a healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
5-hydroxytryptophan may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Ask your
healthcare provider before using 5-hydroxytryptophan if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take 5-hydroxytryptophan?
When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also
consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.
If you choose to take 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 5-hydroxytryptophan than
is recommended on the label.
Take this product with a full glass of water.
If your condition does not improve, or if it appears to get worse, contact your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using 5-hydroxytryptophan. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store 5-hydroxytryptophan at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of 5-hydroxytryptophan?
Consult your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider for instructions if you
miss a dose.
Where can I get more information about 5-hydroxytryptophan?
Your pharmacist has information about 5-hydroxytryptophan written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your healthcare provider at once if you have a serious side effect such as skin rash,
bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, or muscle weakness.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
stomach pain;
-
nausea, vomiting;
-
gas, heartburn; or
-
loss of appetite.
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.
What is the most important information I should know about 5-hydroxytryptophan?
Not all uses for 5-hydroxytryptophan have been approved by the FDA. 5-hydroxytryptophan should not be substituted for medications 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.
Use 5-hydroxytryptophan as directed on the label, or as your healthcare provider has
prescribed. Do not use this product in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
What should I avoid while taking 5-hydroxytryptophan?
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. 5-hydroxytryptophan may increase the sensitivity of
your skin to the sun. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is
unavoidable.
What other drugs will affect 5-hydroxytryptophan?
Do not take 5-hydroxytryptophan without the advice of a healthcare provider if you are
using any of the following medications:
-
dextromethorphan (cough medicine);
-
St. John's wort;
-
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon),
citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), doxepin (Sinequan), fluoxetine (Prozac),
imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone
(Desyrel), and others;
-
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate);
-
medicine to treat Parkinson's disease, such as
carbidopa/levodopa (Atamet, Lodosyn, Sinemet); or
-
prescription pain medication such as meperidine (Demerol),
pentazocine (Talwin), or tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
5-hydroxytryptophan. Tell your healthcare provider about all your prescription and over-the-counter
medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a
new medication without telling your healthcare provider.
What happens if I have an overdose of 5-hydroxytryptophan?
