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Started 5 HTP For Mild Anxiety And Mild Depression. Should I Be Worried For Serotonin Syndrome?
Posted on
Tue, 2 Apr 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 2 Apr 2013
Answered on
Tue, 23 Apr 2013
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello doctor, i started 50mg 5 HTP yesterday morning, for mild anxiety and mild depression which i dont know is situational or chemical.(i have been binge drinking alcohol since many months and now soberly recovering) However my overall mood has lifted a bit as it has lowered my excessive thinking. However last night i had very vivid dreams and lucid dreams. I wanted to know, is it possible for a dose as small as 50mg to create serotonin syndrome ? Is 50mg 5 HTP XXXXXXX ? Should i continue the medicine ?
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress.
Anxiety occur due to neurotransmitters imbalance in brain most commonly involving serotonin neurotransmitter.
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a naturally occurring amino acid and chemical precursor of the neurotransmitters serotonin. 5-HTP used as an antidepressant, appetite suppressant and sleep problem. It is available in market in 50 and 100mg preparation.
It causes serotonin syndrome if given with medicine like MAO Inhibitors or SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. So, serotonin syndrome is least likely in your case.
At the start of treatment 5HTP may increase anxiety for few days (3-4 days) which can present as disturbance in sleep and dreams. In such cases short treatment (1 week) with benzodiezepines (like alprax) will be helpful.
Apart from that other causes of your anxiety and depressive symptoms may be:
-Alcohol induced: So quitting alcohol will improve symptoms.
-Alcohol induced vitamins deficiency (B1 and B12): Multivitamin preparation, eggs and fruits in diet will be helpful.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress.
Anxiety occur due to neurotransmitters imbalance in brain most commonly involving serotonin neurotransmitter.
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a naturally occurring amino acid and chemical precursor of the neurotransmitters serotonin. 5-HTP used as an antidepressant, appetite suppressant and sleep problem. It is available in market in 50 and 100mg preparation.
It causes serotonin syndrome if given with medicine like MAO Inhibitors or SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. So, serotonin syndrome is least likely in your case.
At the start of treatment 5HTP may increase anxiety for few days (3-4 days) which can present as disturbance in sleep and dreams. In such cases short treatment (1 week) with benzodiezepines (like alprax) will be helpful.
Apart from that other causes of your anxiety and depressive symptoms may be:
-Alcohol induced: So quitting alcohol will improve symptoms.
-Alcohol induced vitamins deficiency (B1 and B12): Multivitamin preparation, eggs and fruits in diet will be helpful.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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