5-HTP Gold 100 mg by NutriGold

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Depression. Oral 5-HTP seems to improve symptoms of depression. Details: A meta-analysis of preliminary clinical research shows that taking 5-HTP for up to 8 weeks might improve symptoms of depression in some patients. The pooled remission rate across 13 studies was 65%, and the pooled effect size across 7 studies assessing the change in depressive symptom scores from baseline was large (102854). In most studies, the dose of 5-HTP administered ranged from 150-800 mg daily, although doses as high as 3 grams daily have been used (903,30000,30125,30138,102854). Some research has compared 5-HTP to conventional antidepressants. In one clinical trial of adults experiencing a first episode of depression, taking 5-HTP orally, titrated up to a daily dose of 400 mg, decreased depression symptoms similarly to fluoxetine titrated up to 40 mg daily (30112). Limited research also suggests that taking 5-HTP 300-800 mg daily seems to work similarly to fluvoxamine 50 mg (2203) or imipramine 150 mg daily (30125). Adding 5-HTP 300 mg orally daily to clomipramine 50 mg daily for 28 days has also been shown to reduce depressive symptoms when compared with clomipramine alone (6245).

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE

• Down syndrome. Oral 5-HTP does not seem to improve muscle tone or cognitive skills in patients with this condition. Details: Although early reports suggested that 5-HTP might improve muscle tone and activity levels in infants with Down syndrome (88172), other research has shown no benefit. One small clinical study suggests that taking 5-HTP 0.5-5 mg/kg daily orally from early infancy until 3-4 years of age does not improve muscle tone or developmental ability scores in children with Down syndrome when compared with a control group (88173). Also, a prospective, double-blind study shows that taking 5-HTP 1-2 mg/kg daily orally, alone or with pyridoxine 5-10 mg/kg daily orally, beginning at birth and continuing until 3 years of age, does not improve muscle tone or development of cognitive, social, or language skills when compared with placebo (30153).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Alcohol use disorder. Oral 5-HTP has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking a food supplement containing 5-HTP 5 mg, phenylalanine 300 mg, and glutamine 150 mg daily for 40 days during alcohol detoxification therapy reduces withdrawal symptoms when compared with alcohol detoxification therapy alone (30100). However, taking a combination of 5-HTP 25-100 mg with carbidopa 25 mg four times daily for one year does not seem to improve alcohol abstinence rates when compared with placebo (30007). The effect of 5-HTP alone is unclear.
• Alzheimer disease. Although there has been interest in using oral 5-HTP for Alzheimer disease, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of 5-HTP for this condition.
• Anxiety. It is unclear if oral 5-HTP is beneficial in patients with anxiety disorders. Details: A small clinical study in people with anxiety disorders shows that taking 5-HTP 25-150 mg daily with carbidopa 150 mg daily for 8 weeks reduces anxiety when compared with baseline, but not when compared with clomipramine 25-150 mg daily (30124).
• Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although there is interest in using oral 5-HTP for ADHD, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of 5-HTP for this condition.
• Cerebellar ataxia. It is unclear if oral 5-HTP reduces cerebellar ataxia symptoms. Details: One small clinical trial in people with cerebellar ataxia of various etiologies shows taking 5-HTP orally 10 mg/kg daily for 4 months improve quantitative ataxia scores when compared with placebo. Further improvement was noted in subjects continuing treatment for another 8 months (916). However, in a subsequent trial in this population, taking 5-HTP orally 1 gram daily for 10 months did not improve symptom scores when compared with placebo (30164). Also, a small clinical study in people with Friedreich's ataxia shows that taking 5-HTP 200-300 mg daily for 1 month, then 600-900 mg daily for 5 months (depending on body weight), does not improve symptoms when compared with placebo (30165).
• Fibromyalgia. Small clinical studies suggest that oral 5-HTP may improve symptoms of primary fibromyalgia syndrome. Details: Small clinical studies in people with primary fibromyalgia syndrome suggest that taking 5-HTP 100 mg orally three times daily for 30-90 days might improve pain, tenderness, sleep, anxiety, fatigue, and morning stiffness when compared with baseline or placebo (913,10286).
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is unclear if oral 5-HTP is beneficial for IBD. Details: Preliminary clinical research in adults with stable IBD and fatigue shows that taking a specific 5-HTP (Levotonine, Panpharma) 100 mg orally twice daily for 8 weeks does not improve fatigue scores when compared with placebo. However, the validity of this study is limited by high patient drop-out (111311).
• Menopausal symptoms. It is unclear if oral 5-HTP is beneficial for symptoms of menopause. Details: A small clinical study in postmenopausal patients shows that taking 5-HTP orally 50 mg three times daily for 4 weeks does not reduce hot flash frequency when compared with placebo (30061).
• Migraine headache. It is unclear if oral 5-HTP reduces frequency of migraines. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking 5-HTP 600 mg daily decreases migraine attack frequency similarly to methysergide 3 mg daily (30129). However, other small clinical studies show that taking 5-HTP 400 mg daily does not reduce the frequency or severity of migraine attacks when compared with placebo (30130,30184). Also, in children 6-12 years of age, one very small clinical study shows that taking 5-HTP 5 mg/kg daily in 3 divided doses for 12 weeks does not reduce the frequency or severity of migraine attacks when compared with placebo (30128).
• Obesity. It is unclear if oral 5-HTP is beneficial in for weight loss. Details: Some very small clinical studies show that taking 5-HTP orally, 300 mg three times daily 30 minutes before meals for 2-12 weeks, improves early satiety and decreases daily caloric intake in females with obesity when compared with placebo (914,30018). 5-HTP was also associated with a mean weight loss of 1.7 kg over 6 weeks when caloric intake was not restricted, and a mean weight loss of 3.3 kg over 6 weeks when caloric intake was restricted to about 1200 calories daily (914,30114). In moderately overweight adults with type 2 diabetes, taking 5-HTP 250 mg three times daily 30 minutes before meals for 2 weeks reduces caloric intake by about 22% and decreases body weight by about 2 kg when compared to baseline (30175).
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is unclear if oral 5-HTP is beneficial in patients with OCD. Details: A small clinical study in patients with moderate to severe OCD shows that adding 5-HTP 200 mg orally daily to fluoxetine, titrated up to 60 mg daily, for 12 weeks reduces symptom severity when compared with placebo and fluoxetine. A complete response, defined as greater than or equal to 35% improvement in overall Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) score, was seen in 54% of those taking 5-HTP at week 12, compared with only 12% of those taking placebo (104250). These results were not observed until week 12, which indicates that a longer treatment period may be needed to see the full effects of the intervention.
• Opioid withdrawal. Oral 5-HTP has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Preliminary clinical research in Chinese males undergoing detoxification for heroin addiction shows that taking 5-HTP 200 mg orally daily for 6 days, in combination with tyrosine, phosphatidylcholine, and L-glutamine, might reduce insomnia and withdrawal symptoms and improve mood when compared with a control group (88178).
• Panic disorder. It is unclear if intravenous 5-HTP is beneficial for reducing anxiety in panic disorder. Details: A small clinical trial in females with panic disorders shows that receiving an intravenous (IV) infusion of 5-HTP, 60 mg over 30 minutes after premedication with carbidopa 100 mg orally, does not appear to reduce anxiety when compared with control (30093).
• Parkinson disease. It is unclear if oral 5-HTP is beneficial for improving Parkinson disease symptoms. Details: Two preliminary clinical trials show that taking 5-HTP 50 mg daily for 1 month seems to improve levodopa-induced dyskinesia and symptoms of depression, but not motor functioning or apathy, when compared with placebo in patients with Parkinson disease (102853,104251). Both studies used a crossover design to correct for the small sample size, but may still have been inadequately powered to detect small changes in these outcomes. However, in another study, taking larger doses of 5-HTP, 275-1500 mg orally daily along with carbidopa 150-1000 mg daily for up to 38 days, worsened rigidity, bradykinesia, and functional disability (30140). Other research has evaluated 5-HTP in patients with Parkinson disease and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). A small crossover study in these patients shows taking oral 5-HTP 50 mg daily for 4 weeks does not improve the percentage of REM sleep without atonia or the frequency of RBD events when compared with baseline or placebo. Patients taking 5-HTP report modest improvements in part II (motor function; e.g. swallowing, walking, and dressing) of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), but not other parts of the UPDRS, when compared with placebo (107793). This study may have been inadequately powered to detect a difference between groups.
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Although there is interest in using oral 5-HTP for PMS, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of 5-HTP for this condition.
• Seizures. Although there is interest in using oral 5-HTP for seizures, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of 5-HTP for this condition.
• Tension headache. It is unclear if oral 5-HTP reduces tension headache severity. Details: A small clinical study in adults with a history of chronic tension headaches suggests that taking 5-HTP 100 mg three times daily for 8 weeks does not reduce pain intensity or the number of days with headache when compared with placebo (2204).
• Tinnitus. Oral 5-HTP has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Research has evaluated a specific capsule formulation (Tinnitan Duo; Laboratorios Salvat) containing 5-HTP, ginkgo extract, magnesium, melatonin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, and zinc at undeclared doses. A small clinical trial in patients with subjective tinnitus shows taking this product as one capsule twice daily for 3 months improves Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) total score and THI emotional subscale score at 3 months when compared with baseline. Patients also report improvement in tinnitus-related distress (107792). The validity of this study is limited by the lack of randomization and placebo-control; additionally, it is unclear if any effects are due to 5-HTP, other ingredients, or the combination. More evidence is needed to rate 5-HTP for these uses.

(Read more about 5-HTP)

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Burns. Topical cream containing sea buckthorn seems to improve burn healing. Details: Clinical research in patients with second-degree burn injuries shows that topical application of sea buckthorn 40% cream once daily reduces healing time by about 4.5 days when compared with a specific cream containing silver sulfadiazine 1% (Flamexin, Sina Daru) (106091).

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema). Neither oral nor topical sea buckthorn products seem to be beneficial for atopic dermatitis. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking sea buckthorn seed and pulp oils 5 grams daily orally for 4 months may improve the severity of atopic dermatitis when compared to pretreatment; however, treatment with the same dose of sea buckthorn seed oil does not have this effect, and the effect of sea buckthorn pulp oil does not appear to be significantly different than placebo (74021). Additionally, applying sea buckthorn 10% or 20% cream topically for 4 weeks does not seem to reduce the severity of atopic dermatitis when compared with placebo in patients with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (74091).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Acne. Although there is interest in using topical sea buckthorn for acne, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sea buckthorn for this condition.
• Aging skin. Although there is interest in using oral or topical sea buckthorn for aging skin, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sea buckthorn for this purpose.
• Asthma. Although there is interest in using oral sea buckthorn for asthma, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sea buckthorn for this condition.
• Cancer. Although there is interest in using oral sea buckthorn for reducing morbidity related to cancer and side effects related to chemotherapy, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sea buckthorn for these uses.
• Cirrhosis. It is unclear if oral sea buckthorn is beneficial for patients with cirrhosis. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking sea buckthorn extract 15 grams three times daily for 6 months might reduce liver enzymes and markers of liver inflammation in patients with cirrhosis when compared with a control group taking vitamin B complex (16694).
• Common cold. It is unclear if oral sea buckthorn is beneficial for preventing or treating the common cold. Details: Clinical research in healthy volunteers shows that consuming sea buckthorn berries 28 grams daily in frozen puree for 90 days does not reduce the risk of developing the common cold or reduce the duration of symptoms of the common cold when compared with placebo (16692).
• Diabetes. Although there is interest in using oral sea buckthorn for diabetes, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sea buckthorn for this condition.
• Dry eye. It is unclear if oral or topical sea buckthorn is beneficial for dry eye. Details: Preliminary clinical research in adults with dry eye shows that taking a specific sea buckthorn seed and pulp oil product (Omega-7, Aromtech Ltd.) 1 gram orally twice daily for 3 months reduces subjective assessments of eye redness and burning and reduces tear film osmolarity when compared with placebo (17406,74069). Preliminary clinical research also shows that using an eyelid spray containing sea buckthorn seed oil 0.4% and sodium hyaluronate 0.02% (Aromtech Ltd., and Finnsusp Ltd.) four times daily for 1.5 months reduces symptoms of dryness and watering by a small amount when compared to a control spray. However, there was no effect on feelings of grittiness, burning, redness, or other symptoms (102845).
• Dry skin. Although there is interest in using topical sea buckthorn for dry skin, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sea buckthorn for this condition.
• Dyslipidemia. It is unclear if oral sea buckthorn is beneficial for hyperlipidemia. Details: Some clinical research shows that sea buckthorn berries and extracts can improve the lipid profile in people with hyperlipidemia and/or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In a meta-analysis of 11 studies from China and Finland, consuming sea buckthorn berries or extracts for between 12 days and 4 months decreased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by about 24 mg/dL and triglycerides by about 41 mg/dL and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by about 10 mg/dL when compared with baseline or a control group (96555). The sea buckthorn doses and formulations used in these studies were not identified. Additionally, a very small clinical study in females aged 50-61 with hypercholesterolemia shows that drinking sea buckhorn juice (ZAMIO, Ltd) 100% 50 mL daily for 8 weeks modestly improves HDL by about 2 mg/dL and LDL by 10 mg/dL, but does not impact total cholesterol or triglycerides when compared to baseline (112171). However, the validity of these findings is limited by the lack of a comparator group. In contrast, clinical research in patients with hypercholesterolemia shows that taking sea buckthorn puree 30 grams three times daily for 90 days does not improve lipid markers or blood pressure when compared with placebo (106090).
• Dyspepsia. It is unclear if oral sea buckthorn is beneficial for dyspepsia. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking sea buckthorn dry emulsion (prepared with the fruit juice and oil) daily for 8 weeks increases levels of the appetite regulators leptin and neuropeptide Y, which tend to be lower in children with functional dyspepsia; however, sea buckthorn does not appear to improve gastric emptying rates in these patients. Doses were administered according to age: 2.5 grams twice daily for children aged 1-3 years, 5 grams twice daily for children aged 4-6 years old, and 7.5 grams twice daily for children aged 7 years (94800).
• Gout. Although there is interest in using oral sea buckthorn for gout, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sea buckthorn for this condition.
• Hypertension. It is unclear if oral sea buckthorn is beneficial for hypertension. Details: A meta-analysis of preliminary clinical research in patients with essential hypertension shows that taking sea buckthorn flavones 10-30 mg three times daily for 1-8 months reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure to a similar extent as calcium channel blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (74090).
• Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes). It is unclear if oral sea buckthorn is beneficial for prediabetes. Details: A small clinical trial in patients with impaired glucose tolerance shows that taking sea buckthorn fruit puree 90 mL daily in three divided doses for 5 weeks modestly reduces fasting levels of blood glucose when compared with taking placebo. There was no effect on postprandial glucose levels or blood pressure (106088).
• Kidney failure. It is unclear if oral sea buckthorn oil is beneficial for patients on hemodialysis. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking sea buckthorn oil 2 grams daily for 8 weeks does not improve levels of urea, creatinine, or calcium, reduce markers of inflammation, or improve salivary flow rate when compared with placebo in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are receiving hemodialysis (94798).
• Melasma. Although there is interest in using topical sea buckthorn for melasma, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sea buckthorn for this condition.
• Nephrotic syndrome. It is unclear if oral sea buckthorn is beneficial for nephrotic syndrome. Details: Preliminary clinical research in patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome shows that taking hydroalcoholic extract of sea buckthorn 350 mg orally twice daily for 3 months in addition to standard therapy reduces edema, anorexia, and the extent of proteinuria when compared to baseline. It is unclear if the effects of sea buckthorn plus standard therapy are significantly better than the effects of standard therapy alone (94799).
• Obesity. It is unclear if oral sea buckthorn is beneficial for obesity. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking sea buckthorn berries, berry oil, or phenolic alcoholic extract does not reduce body weight in overweight or obese females, although it seems to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (35463,94796).
• Peptic ulcers. Although there is interest in using oral sea buckthorn for peptic ulcers, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sea buckthorn for this condition.
• Psoriasis. It is unclear if topical sea buckthorn is beneficial for psoriasis. Details: One small clinical study in patients with previously untreated psoriasis shows that topically applying an unknown amount of sea buckthorn fruit extract suspended in corn oil twice daily for 8 weeks reduces the severity of psoriasis lesions when compared with corn oil alone (102844).
• Radiation dermatitis. Although there is interest in using topical sea buckthorn for radiation dermatitis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sea buckthorn for this condition.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although there is interest in using oral sea buckthorn for RA, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sea buckthorn for this condition.
• Sunburn. Although there is interest in using topical sea buckthorn for sunburn prevention, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sea buckthorn for this condition.
• Vaginal atrophy. It is unclear if oral or intravaginal sea buckthorn is beneficial for vaginal atrophy. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking 3 grams of sea buckthorn oil daily for 3 months does not improve vaginal dryness, itching, burning, pH, or elasticity when compared with placebo in postmenopausal individuals with vaginal atrophy (94797). Topical sea buckthorn oil has also been evaluated, in combination with other ingredients. Clinical research in adults with postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy shows that intravaginal application of a specific gel (Meclon Idra Alfasigma, Giellepi) containing sea buckthorn oil, aloe vera, 18-beta-glycyrrhetic acid, hyaluronic acid, and glycogen modestly improves sexual function and reduces vaginal pain, dyspareunia, and symptoms such as vaginal dryness, itching, and burning when compared with a placebo gel. The gel was used daily for 14 days and then twice weekly for 60 days after a 2-week washout (106089). It is unclear if these benefits are due to sea buckthorn oil, other ingredients, or the combination.
• Wound healing. Although there is interest in using topical sea buckthorn for healing of pressure ulcers, skin ulcers, or other wounds, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sea buckthorn for this purpose.
• Wrinkled skin. Oral sea buckthorn oil has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Preliminary clinical research in people with facial photodamage and severe fine wrinkling shows that taking a specific combination product (GliSODin Skin Nutrients Advanced Anti-Aging Formula, Isocell North America Inc.) as one capsule orally three times daily for 90 days, in addition to applying tazarotene 0.1% cream, improves the appearance of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and photodamage when compared with using tazarotene 0.1% cream alone. Three capsules of this product contain sea buckthorn berry oil 200 mg, krill oil 600 mg, zinc 10 mg, vitamin D 400 IU, cacao bean extract 100 mg, hyaluronic acid 30 mg, red clover flower isoflavones 30 mg, and a specific proprietary ingredient called GliSODin 500 mg (91778). It is not clear if these effects are due to sea buckthorn, the other ingredients, or the combination. More evidence is needed to rate sea buckthorn for these uses.

(Read more about SEA BUCKTHORN)

POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately. 5-HTP has been used safely in doses up to 400 mg daily for up to one year (913,30007,30130). Doses up to 1.2 grams daily have been used with apparent safety for up to 10 months (914,30018,30125,30164,30165). Doses of 3 grams daily have been used safely for 3 weeks (30138). There is some controversy about the safety of 5-HTP due to concerns for eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS) (902,919,7067,10084,30178). There is speculation that only certain, contaminated 5-HTP products may cause this serious adverse effect (88174). So far, there is not enough evidence to know if EMS is caused by 5-HTP, contaminants, or other unknown factors (919,7067,10084).

POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when used orally in large doses. Doses of 6-10 grams daily have been associated with severe gastrointestinal effects and hyperkinesis (30139,30183). The risk may be reduced if the dose is increased gradually.

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately. Doses of 5-HTP up to 5 mg/kg daily have been used safely for up to 3 years in infants and children up to 12 years old (30128,30153,88173). There is some controversy about the safety of 5-HTP due to concerns for eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS) (902,919,7067,10084,30178). There is speculation that only certain, contaminated 5-HTP products may cause this serious adverse effect (88174). So far, there is not enough evidence to know if EMS is caused by 5-HTP, contaminants, or other unknown factors (919,7067,10084).

(Read more about 5-HTP)

LIKELY SAFE ...when sea buckthorn fruit is consumed as food. Sea buckthorn fruit is used in jams, jellies, pies, juices, and sauces (9898).

POSSIBLY SAFE ...when sea buckthorn fruit or fruit extract is used orally and appropriately for medicinal purposes. The oil extract of the fruit and seed have been used with apparent safety in doses of up to 2 grams daily for up to 3 months (16692,17406). ...when sea buckthorn fruit is used topically and appropriately. A cream containing sea buckthorn fruit 40% daily has been used with apparent safety for up to 13 days (106091). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of sea buckthorn leaf or leaf extracts when used orally or topically.

CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately for medicinal purposes. Sea buckthorn dry emulsion (prepared with the fruit juice and oil) 5-15 grams daily for 8 weeks has been used with apparent safety in children 1-7 years of age (94800).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

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CARBIDOPA (Lodosyn) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Combining 5-HTP and carbidopa can increase the risk of serotonergic side effects.  Details Carbidopa is sometimes used with 5-HTP to minimize peripheral 5-HTP metabolism and boost the amount that reaches the brain. However, this combination might also increase the risk of some side effects including hypomania, restlessness, rapid speech, anxiety, insomnia, and aggressiveness (30076,30132,30158). Combining carbidopa and 5-HTP might also increase the risk of scleroderma-like skin changes due to elevated serotonin levels (1403).

CNS DEPRESSANTS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, concomitant use of 5-HTP with medications that cause sedation might have additive effects.  Details In clinical trials, 5-HTP has been associated with drowsiness and somnolence (914,30093,30129,30130).

SEROTONERGIC DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Combining serotonergic drugs with 5-HTP might cause additive serotonergic effects.  Details 5-HTP can increase serotonin levels and cause serotonergic effects (901). Theoretically, combining serotonergic drugs with 5-HTP might increase the risk of serotonergic side effects, including serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders (8056). However, serotonin syndrome with 5-HTP has not yet been reported in humans (104941). Monitor patients for signs of serotonin syndrome and other serotonergic side effects if using 5-HTP with serotonergic drugs.

(Read more about 5-HTP)

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = B Theoretically, sea buckthorn may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.  Details Clinical research suggests that sea buckthorn fruit extracts can inhibit platelet aggregation and adhesion to collagen and fibrinogen (10208,96554).

ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, taking sea buckthorn with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.  Details Taking sea buckthorn appears to reduce blood pressure in some patients (74090).

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General ...Orally, 5-HTP is generally well tolerated, short-term.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Abdominal pain, anorexia, dizziness, diarrhea, drowsiness, fatigue, headache, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting. Severity appears to be dose-dependent.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Aggression, hallucinations, mania, severe gastrointestinal complaints.

Cardiovascular ...Orally, palpitations have been reported with 5-HTP (30076,30130,30167). Conversely, bradycardia has been reported in patients taking 5-HTP 0.4-2 grams daily in combination with carbidopa 100-300 mg daily (30132). In patients with schizophrenia, a combination of 5-HTP in doses up to 6 grams daily and carbidopa 150 mg daily was associated with diaphoresis and mild diastolic hypotension, especially when doses were increased at a rate faster than 200 mg per day (30183).

Dermatologic ...Orally, 5-HTP has been reported to cause urticaria, other allergic-type skin reactions, and flushing (2204,30000,30140). A scleroderma-like illness was reported in a 70-year-old man who had been taking 5-HTP 1400 mg daily and carbidopa 150 mg daily for 20 months. Elevated serotonin levels may be linked to this condition (1403).

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, 5-HTP has been reported to cause gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal or epigastric pain, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, anorexia, and taste alteration at any dose (2203,2204,30000,30112,30114,30125,30132,30139,30140)(30165,30183,104250). Severity may be dose-dependent and also related to how quickly doses are increased (30183). Some data suggests that these effects may diminish or disappear with continued use of 5-HTP (30132).

Hematologic ...Symptoms suggestive of eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS) have been reported in some patients using 5-HTP (902,10084,30178,88174,90927). In one case, a woman was exposed to 5-HTP, tetrahydrobiopterin, carbidopa, and levodopa while administering them to her children for 2 years (90927). Her diagnosis was not confirmed, and the validity of the tests performed on the 5-HTP product has been questioned (88174). Other cases of eosinophilia or EMS in patients taking 5-HTP have been attributed to impurities that resemble previously identified contaminants found in L-tryptophan products (902,919,7067,10084). The L-tryptophan contaminants associated with EMS were linked to a specific manufacturer's production method that is not used in the preparation of 5-HTP (88174). Although 5-HTP supplements have been associated with EMS, it seems that this adverse effect is likely due to the presence of contaminants in the 5-HTP products, not 5-HTP itself.

Musculoskeletal ...Orally, rhabdomyolysis was noted in one patient with progressive myoclonus epilepsy who was treated with 5-HTP 300 mg daily for 21 days (30162).

Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, 5-HTP has been reported to cause drowsiness, dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, and headache (30076,30112,30132).

Psychiatric ...Orally, 5-HTP has been associated with euphoria, hypomania and mania, anxiety, insomnia, and aggressiveness (30076,30132,30158,88179). In patients with schizophrenia, a combination of high-dose 5-HTP, up to 6 grams daily, and carbidopa 150 mg daily was associated with transient increases in hallucinations, delusions, marked confusion, looseness of associations, flight of ideas, and a hyperkinetic syndrome consisting of restlessness, hand wringing, pacing, and an inability to sit quietly in a chair (30183).

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General ...Orally, sea buckthorn is well tolerated. Topically, sea buckthorn fruit seems to be well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Topically: Irritation and rash.

Dermatologic ...Orally, high doses of sea buckthorn may cause yellow staining of the skin. One case of generalized yellow skin has been reported for a patient who consumed sea buckthorn 100 grams daily for 6 months (74072). Topically, sea buckthorn oil has been associated with dryness, irritation, redness, and rash (74077,102845). Rash occurred in 4% of patients in one clinical study (74077). When used intravaginally, severe burning and itching have been reported rarely (106089).

(Read more about SEA BUCKTHORN)