5-Hydroxytryptophan

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 23, 2024.

What are other common names?

• 2-Amino-3-(5-Hydroxy-1H-Indol-3-yl)Propanoic Acid
• 5 Hydroxy-Tryptophane
• 5-HTP
• 5-Hydroxy
• 5-Hydroxy L-Tryptophan
• 5-Hydroxy L-Tryptophane
• 5-Hydroxy Tryptophan
• 5-Hydroxytryptophan
• 5-Hydroxytryptophane
• 5-L-Hydroxytryptophan
• 5HTP
• Griffonia Extract
• Griffonia simplicifolia
• L-5 HTP
• L-5 Hydroxytryptophan
• L-5-Hydroxytryptophane
• Minichill
• Oxitryptan
• Relarian
• Tryptophan

What is this product used for?

5-Hydroxytryptophan is also known as 5-HTP. Using 5-HTP for any health problem is not supported by medical studies.

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with other drugs or natural products. If you have more than one doctor, make sure you inform each of them.

• Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this natural product.

• This product may interfere with some lab tests. Be sure to talk with your doctor about this and all drugs you are taking.

• Be sure to tell your doctor that you take this product if you are scheduled for surgery or tests.

• This product is used by your body to make serotonin. Do not use this product if you are taking other products that also increase serotonin in your body, such as some cough medicines, SSRIs, or MAO inhibitors. These are products like St John’s wort, dextromethorphan, fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

• Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) while taking this product.

• Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:

  • Low mood

  • Been taking drugs for cough or pain

What should I watch for?

• Upset stomach

• Heartburn, gas, feeling of fullness

• Loss of appetite

• Sleepiness

• Feeling dizzy

When do I need to call the doctor?

• Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; fever; rash; hives; itching, discolored, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.

• Signs of too much serotonin in your body, such as irritability, restlessness, confusion, fast heartbeat, twitching, very bad sweating, very high fever, seizures, or uneven heartbeat.

• Signs of a serious reaction. These include muscle pain, skin rash, and problems breathing.

• Very bad throwing up

• Very bad belly pain

• Very bad loose stools

• Very bad headache

• Very bad muscle pain

Last Reviewed Date

2023-06-06

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