5-HTP: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Scientific name(s)
5-hydroxytryptophan
Family or group:
Amino acids
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Depression ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical studies have shown that oral administration of 5-HTP for 2 to 3 weeks improves depressive symptoms in some patients. On the other hand, a comparison of the efficacy of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (fluvoxamine) with that of 5-HTP demonstrated the equivalence of the two treatments after two weeks of treatment in patients with depression. However, despite the beneficial effects demonstrated by clinical research, the trials remain small and present methodological problems. Larger, higher-quality studies in bigger patient populations are needed to confirm these results. In the trials, the administered dose ranges from 150 to 800 mg per day for 2 to 6 weeks. It is noteworthy that, unlike serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, which spare serotonin, 5-HTP enables the body to produce it. Above all, 5-HTP has been shown to have fewer side effects (dry mouth, loss of libido) and to be better tolerated.
Posologie
Oral administration
150 - 800 mg
6 - weeks
Synergies
The effects of dietary tryptophan on affective disorders
A functional-dimensional approach to depression: serotonin deficiency as a target syndrome in a comparison of 5-hydroxytryptophan and fluvoxamine.
The effects of tryptophan depletion on cognitive and affective processing in healthy volunteers
The treatment of depression with L-5-hydroxytryptophan versus imipramine. Results of two open and one double-blind study.
Treatment of depression with L-5-hydroxytryptophan combined with chlorimipramine, a double-blind study.
Migraine ✪✪✪✪✪
In migraine patients, taking 5-HTP for 6 months shows an efficacy equivalent to a reference antimigraine drug (methysergide). However, other clinical studies have not shown a reduction in the frequency and severity of migraine attacks compared with placebo. A daily intake of 600 mg of 5-HTP in divided doses was used.
Posologie
Oral
600 mg
6 - months
Fibromyalgia ✪✪✪✪✪
In patients with fibromyalgia, reduced levels of serotonin metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid have been reported, suggesting the involvement of a serotonin deficit in the pathogenesis of the disease. In a study of fibromyalgia patients, administration of 5-HTP for 30 days reduced the number of tender points and their intensity, as well as morning muscle stiffness and anxiety compared with placebo. Another study reports that a combination of 5-HTP with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) is the most effective treatment for fibromyalgia-related pain compared to a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (amitriptyline) or to an MAOI alone. The dose used is 100 mg of 5-HTP three times a day for 30 to 90 days.
Posologie
Oral
300 mg
90 - days
Fibromyalgia and the serotonin pathway
Primary fibromyalgia syndrome and 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan: a 90-day open study.
Double-blind study of 5-hydroxytryptophan versus placebo in the treatment of primary fibromyalgia syndrome.
Weight control ✪✪✪✪✪
5-HTP helps reduce appetite and cravings: it is useful for people who need to lose weight or who suffer from bulimia; this is directly related to its satiating properties.
Posologie
Oral
750 - 900 mg
12 weeks
Relationship between the absorption of 5-hydroxytryptophan from an integrated diet, by means of Griffonia simplicifolia extract, and the effect on satiety in overweight females after oral spray administration
Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan.
The effects of oral 5-hydroxytryptophan administration on feeding behavior in obese adult female subjects.
Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects.
Properties
Antidepressant
5-HTP is converted into serotonin in the brain. Consequently, it increases serotonin levels in the CNS (central nervous system) in the same way as traditional antidepressants that act on the serotonergic system. Although the exact etiology of depression is not known, it is widely accepted that a deficit in serotonergic activity plays a significant role in its pathophysiology. Indeed, recent data have more directly shown the involvement of serotonin in depression. On the one hand, serotonergic dysfunction has been repeatedly demonstrated by biochemical assays in depressed subjects. On the other hand, the data seem to indicate that such dysfunction could be linked to genetic predispositions. Finally, the most recent studies using sophisticated imaging techniques have highlighted a decrease in the binding capacity of a type of serotonergic receptor.
Usages associés
Analgesic
Increases in beta-endorphin levels in the CNS (central nervous system) have been reported after administration of 5-HTP, suggesting that it may have analgesic effects.
Usages associés
Satiating
Serotonin, whose levels are increased by 5-HTP, is thought to play a role in regulating food intake at the level of the hypothalamus. Indeed, it reduces the feeling of hunger and caloric intake.
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adults 18 years and older: 100 mg - 500 mg
5-HTP is safe when used orally in an appropriate manner. No toxicity has been reported with doses equal to or less than 50 mg/kg of body weight.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antidepressant: strong interaction
The combination of serotonergic antidepressants and 5-HTP could increase the risk of serotonergic side effects, including serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders. These drugs include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic and atypical antidepressants.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI): strong interaction
The combination of serotonergic drugs, such as a non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), with 5-HTP could increase the risk of serotonergic side effects, including serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders.
Carbidopa: moderate interaction
Carbidopa is sometimes used with 5-HTP to minimize peripheral metabolism of 5-HTP and increase the amount reaching the brain. However, this combination may also increase the risk of side effects, including hypomania, agitation, rapid speech, anxiety, insomnia, and aggression. The combination of carbidopa and 5-HTP may also increase the risk of scleroderma-like skin changes due to elevated serotonin levels.
Methysergide: moderate interaction
Due to the presence of 5-HTP, interactions are possible with any medication that modulates serotonin levels.
Opioids: moderate interaction
The combination of serotonergic drugs, such as opioids, with 5-HTP could increase the risk of serotonergic adverse effects, including serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders. These drugs include: meperidine, pentazocine, tramadol.
Sedatives: moderate interaction
Theoretically, concurrent use of 5-HTP with medications that cause sedation could have additive effects.
Plantes ou autres actifs
Sedative: weak interaction
Theoretically, the concomitant use of 5-HTP with herbs and supplements that have sedative properties could increase the risk of additive sedation. Some of these supplements include calamus, California poppy, catnip, hops, Jamaican dogwood, kava, St. John's wort, toque, calotte, valerian, yerba mansa, and others.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Avoid using 5-HTP during pregnancy due to insufficient data.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Avoid using 5-HTP while breastfeeding due to insufficient data.
Contraindications
Carcinoid tumor: contraindicated
Griffonia (which contains 5-HTP) is contraindicated in cases of carcinoid tumors of the small intestine (tumors that develop from the endocrine cells of the mucosa of the small intestine).
