5htp causing strange reaction.

I have been taking 5htp for about 3 weeks now and am finding it to be very good - much better than any SSRI that I've ever taken! I'm currently taking 100mg of 5htp last thing at night, with a cup of warm milk.

The only problem is, about half an hour after I've taken it my heart starts to pound and I got up last night to check my blood pressure and found that it was a bit elevated - 148/91 - I'm 37 years old.

I take Rhodiola Rosea each morning too. I'm taking some fish oil supplements, Ginkyo Biloba and a multivitamin/mineral supplement in the morning.

I also take a couple of brewers yeast tablets last thing at night too.

I was wondering if the 5htp acted like a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and is interacting with the yeast tablet. Is is Serotonin Syndrome? I don't feel particularly confused or sweaty, just the heart pounding. It's a bit like an anxiety attack.

When I get up in the morning I feel fine and my BP is back to normal.

The only prescribed med I'm taking is Propronolol 10mg in the morning for anxiety, but I had to take an extra one last night to stop the palpitations and lower my BP.

I honestly don't want to stop taking the 5htp as my mood is so stable and I feel so well. What could this problem be due to? I've bought some 50mg tablets this morning so that I can cut the dose and find out if that helps.

Any insight would be appreciated!

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I understand your dilemma, but you have a problem to solve.  Whenever you take so many different substances you become vulnerable to medication interactions that are not totally predictable.   5 htp is effective because it has the precursor elements of an ssri...combined with the others, and the anxiety blocker, it want be unusual to have an effect on your blood pressure.  I think the person you want to consult is your internist, or if you are being your own doctor, at least cut down the dose to see what happens.

[echelon]

ps - I don't normally suffer from night time panic attacks. This has just started since taking the 5htp.