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Can 5-HTP Be Taken While Trying To Conceive?

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Posted on Thu, 7 Jan 2016
Question: Hello Doctor,
I have been taking Nexito 5mg for anxiety since 1 month. I want to try something natural which is safe compared to anti depressant such as 5-htp. Is it safe to take 5-htp when trying to conceive? If so, what is the dosage? Also is it ok to take vitamin b12 supplements (1000 mcg) along with 5-htp? If I stop Nexito 5mg abruptly and start with 5-htp does it have any negative effects?
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Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
5-HTP is not a substitute for nexito.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.

5-HTP has been claimed to be effective in Anxiety and depression. But unfortunately, there are no well conducted research studies which prove its efficacy over antidepressant like nexito.

Also, in pregnancy, the safety of 5-HTP is not proven.

So, I would suggest you to not substitute nexito with 5-HTP suddenly. The Anxiety may increase.
It can be supplementary to nexito but not a substitute in my opinion.

The usual dose of 5HTP is 150-300 mg per day.
Yes, you can take B12 with 5HTP.

Kindly discuss these issues with your doctor.

I wish you good health.
Thanks.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2145 Questions

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Can 5-HTP Be Taken While Trying To Conceive?

Brief Answer: 5-HTP is not a substitute for nexito. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM. I can understand your concerns. 5-HTP has been claimed to be effective in Anxiety and depression. But unfortunately, there are no well conducted research studies which prove its efficacy over antidepressant like nexito. Also, in pregnancy, the safety of 5-HTP is not proven. So, I would suggest you to not substitute nexito with 5-HTP suddenly. The Anxiety may increase. It can be supplementary to nexito but not a substitute in my opinion. The usual dose of 5HTP is 150-300 mg per day. Yes, you can take B12 with 5HTP. Kindly discuss these issues with your doctor. I wish you good health. Thanks.