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HTP Side Effects

5-HTP is short for 5-hydroxytrytophan. 5-HTP is a natural amino acid that very closely resembles serotonin, which is a crucial chemical that is located throughout the body (also known as a monoamine neurotransmitter). 5-HTP is a common component of various herbal supplements and is believed to be helpful with the treatment of several medical conditions, including fibromyalgia, eating disorders (like anorexia nervosa and bulimia), anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), headaches and premenstrual disorder.

  1. Minor Side Effects

    • Several minor side effects are possible with 5-HTP. These side effects are often digestion-related and are not usually considered to be severe due to the fact that they usually go away soon after starting use of 5-HTP. These side effects are nausea and vomiting, indigestion, heartburn, stomach pain, belching, diarrhea and appetite loss. If you have any of these side effects, however, and they are causing you great discomfort or they don't subside, you need to call your physician.

    Severe Side Effects

    • Although they are rare, severe side effects of 5-HTP also can occur. These side effects can lead to serious consequences, so it is vital to seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of them. They include convulsions and extreme muscle pain. Extreme muscle pain is sometimes an early symptom of a medical condition known as eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (or EMS), which is often linked to use of 5-HTP.

    Allergic Reactions

    • Serious allergic reactions to this amino acid are very uncommon but sometimes happen. In these cases, it is important to get emergency medical help as soon as possible. Some signs of this type of reaction include having trouble breathing, itchiness, swelling of the throat or the mouth, skin rash, breaking out into hives and wheezing.

    Overdose

    • It is important to only take the recommended dosage amount of 5-HTP. If you fear that you might have taken too much and therefore overdosed, get medical assistance immediately. Some symptoms of 5-HTP overdose include muscle spasms, diarrhea, having problems with walking, faintness, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat (known as tachycardia), sweating and fever.

    Drug Interactions

    • Drug interactions are sometimes dangerous because they can reduce the effectiveness of 5-HTP. They can happen with any medicines and nutritional supplements. Some drugs that could lead to drug interactions with 5-HTP include St. John's wort, antidepressants, tryptophan, triptans, tramadol, meperidine and MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors.

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