What Are The Repercussions Of Taking Lexapro Oral And Tryptophan?

Posted on Tue, 27 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 27 Dec 2016 Answered on

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Yes you can. What is the interaction between lexapro oral and tryptophan, and what are the symptoms of that interaction? Thanks for your help!

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
This might lead to serotonin syndrome.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for asking from Healthcaremagic.com

Lexapro is a SSRI drug and works by increasing serotonergic neurotransmission in brain. Tryptophan is an amino acid that is precursor of serotonin. Taking high dose of Lexapro with Tryptophan might lead to serotonin syndrome.

Nausea, dizziness, numbness of extremities, tinnitus, irritability, facial flushing, sweating, raised body temperature, agitation, hyper-reflexia etc are symptoms. In severe cases confusion or coma can occur.

But in therapeutic doses, if taken under proper prescription the risk of any serious adverse effect in very low.

Thanks. Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar