5-HTP???

[Tanya 1]

Hi guys and girls,,,, I wanted to know if anyone knows what 5-HTP is ? And what it does.... I also wanted to know if any of you know is there is a pill out there that you can take for your sugar cravings..(Man I tell you I crave sweets like you can't imagine) !!!!! Thnks your comments are greatly appricatedya !!!!!!!! Tanya Start weight 161 ..current weight 145lbs at 5ft 5inches.. :)

[lapphoenix]

I want to know about 5-HTP too? Is it safe with phen? What is it? Do people just take it to help sleep or does it help with the weight loss too?
lap

[traidey]

i copied this from the other thread my experience with phentermine posted April 12, 2002 10:46 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i copied this from nitra an page 15 Member
Member # 2625
posted March 29, 2002 04:14 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid. The body makes 5-HTP from tryptophan (an essential amino acid) and converts it to serotonin, an important neurotransmitter (brain chemical). 5-HTP dietary supplements help raise serotonin levels in the brain, which may have a positive effect on the following functions and processes: sleep, mood, anxiety, aggression, appetite, temperature, sexual behavior, and pain sensation.
Uses

5-HTP may be helpful in treating a wide variety of conditions related to low serotonin levels, such as the following:
Depression: Scientists believe that low levels of serotonin in the brain cause some forms of depression. Therefore, many of the antidepressant drugs prescribed for depression increase serotonin levels. 5-HTP is as effective as some antidepressant drugs in treating some individuals with mild to moderate depression, and people treated with 5-HTP have shown improvements in mood, anxiety, insomnia, and physical symptoms.

Fibromyalgia: This is a disorder that causes achy and stiff muscles, tender joints, and ongoing pain at various sites in the body. Although many factors can affect the severity of the disorder, the primary cause of the pain of fibromylagia is low serotonin levels. 5-HTP has been shown to increase pain tolerance, improve sleep quality, and reduce anxiety and depression in patients with fibromyalgia.

Insomnia: 5-HTP has been shown to reduce the time required to fall asleep and to improve sleep quality.

Migraine: 5-HTP reduces the frequency and severity of migraine headaches with fewer side effects than migraine headache drugs.

Obesity: 5-HTP can decrease carbohydrate intake by promoting a feeling of satiety (fullness), and may result in weight loss in overweight individuals.

Headaches in children: Children with headaches associated with sleep disorders can respond favorably to 5-HTP treatment.

Dietary Sources

5-HTP is extracted from the seed of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia. It is purified, and concentrated in dietary supplements.

Other Forms

5-HTP is an ingredient in multivitamin and herbal preparations. It is also available as a single ingredient in tablets and capsules. You will find it in doses that include 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg capsules and tablets.

How to Take It

Pediatric

There are no known reports about use of 5-HTP in children. Therefore, use of this supplement in children is not recommended at this time.

Adult

Follow the directions indicated on product packages. Some experts recommend taking 50 to 100 mg of 5-HTP per day for most conditions. Higher doses of 5-HTP are necessary to produce beneficial results in certain conditions. Seek the advice of your health care provider before taking more than 100 mg of 5-HTP per day.

Precautions

5-HTP causes mild gastrointestinal disturbances in some people. These side effects include mild nausea, heartburn, flatulence, feelings of fullness, and rumbling sensations.

Check with your health care provider before taking 5-HTP if any of the following applies to you:

You have high blood pressure.
You are pregnant or nursing.
You have diabetes.
You are taking antidepressant drugs, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or any other prescription medications.
Seek the advice of your health care provider before giving 5-HTP to children or adolescents.

Possible Interactions

Taking 5-hydroxytryptophan with carbidopa, a medication used to treat Parkinson's disease, has been associated with side effects, including scleroderma-like illness (the skin becomes hard, thick, and inflamed). Using this combination should be avoided except under the supervision of your healthcare provider.

In addition, 5-HTP should be used with caution, if at all, in people taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), two types of antidepressant medications. Specifically, the likelihood of developing unpleasant side effects, including serotonin syndrome (characterized by mental status changes, rigidity, hot flashes, rapidly fluctuating vital signs, and possibly coma) is greater if you combine 5-HTP with the drugs sumatriptan, tramadol, trazodone, venlafaxine, and zolpidem.

--------------------


"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

--------------------




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 150 | From: | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

lapphoenix
Member
Member # 4722
posted April 12, 2002 10:50 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks traidy!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 56 | From: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

Whowhon
Member
Member # 4643
posted April 12, 2002 10:56 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks traidey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 78 | From: Lousiana building in Florida | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

WildHeart
Member
Member # 4748
posted April 12, 2002 03:57 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is this something that is prescribed by a doctor, or can you purchase this in a health food store or someplace like that!
Thanks for the info. I will try to remember to ask my doc about it next month.

--------------------




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 53 | From: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

traidey
Member
Member # 4747
posted April 12, 2002 04:59 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
over the counter you can get it at walmart in the diet section
--------------------




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 150 | From: | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

TEXANAMY
Member
Member # 4693
posted April 12, 2002 05:05 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I HEARD ON THIS SITE THAT PHEN IS AN MAOI. IS THAT TRUE? IF IT IS, IT SAYS NOT TO TAKE THE 5-HTP.
BY THE WAY, WHAT IS AN MAOI??


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 11 | From: HOUSTON, TEXAS | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

traidey
Member
Member # 4747
posted April 12, 2002 09:00 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
posted April 03, 2002 12:18 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUESTION????????
I thought that someone said that they have put phentermine in the MAO catagory? If this is true what Nitra says, than people shouldn't take this with phentermine. She said that if you take it with a MAO you might possible get seratonin syndrome. I would talk to a doctor

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 77 | From: Lousiana building in Florida | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

Nails
Member
Member # 4742
posted April 04, 2002 12:08 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whowhon,what is MAO???And I was told that phentermine was different then fen fen,its less harmfull to your body.Now I read its the same???
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 40 | From: British Columia | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

OB_RN5
Member
Member # 4522
posted April 04, 2002 11:55 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHEN_PHEN was a combination of phentermine and fenfluramine . So yes its different in that its not combined with anything but no its the same drug...thus comes the comment about combining it with other things. It has ok (not without some S.E) by itself but in combinatin in the past has caused heartvalve problems and increased PPH. Go and search PHEN PHEN on the net.... will tell you the same thing...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 5 | From: | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

jammies
Member
Member # 4867
posted April 04, 2002 12:06 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nitra!, thanks for that information, my wife suffers from pains that are very similar to, if not caused by, Fibromyalgia. She's been to a few different doctors that can't really diagnose exactly where these pains come from, and she has a distant relative that has actually been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. It's a rare disorder, but I think if it is what she is suffering from this stuff sounds beneficial for her. The only problem is the decreased appetite, because my wife is actually underweight. Her BMI is around 18. I guess if she took it right before bed it may could help the possible Fibromyalgia without decreasing her appetite. Everyone let me know what you think.
--------------------


hope this helps i really dont knwo what an mao inhibitor is although i would like to knoe

--------------------




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 150 | From: | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

Jennerizer
Member
Member # 2458
posted April 12, 2002 10:57 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is a debate between some scientists & the FDA as to whether Phentermine is a MAO inhibitor. They have proven it in rats, but the FDA has yet to approve calling it an MAO inhibitor.
I don't think it's a good combination. Fenfluramine (the Fen in Fen/Phen) was a seratonin type drug & that's what 5htp is too. It's the combination of Fen with Phentermine that caused all of those heart valve problems.

I would bet the possibility of anything happening when you combine phen with anything is low, but remember there is a risk involved, so pay attention to how you're feeling.

Jen

--------------------

Another's heart is a rare & fragile gift...
hold it gently with both hands & never take it for granted.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 88 | From: Deltona, FL USA | Registered: Jul 2001 | IP: Logged

OB_RN5
Member
Member # 4522
posted April 13, 2002 02:07 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Me again. Yes Jennerizer made a good point that the 5htp have a very simular action as fenfuraline . I would be very leary of combining the two. PPH was increased greatly with this simular combo also heart valve problems... Not to change the subject but what they need to invent is a appetite suppressant that will help reset your metabolism at a higher rate so when you went off you would still have a benifit of increased metab.. and better eating habits.... DREAM ON HUH..... lol....
Did anyone see oprah today.. I missed it .. It looked good ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 7 | From: | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged



All times are ET (US)

[salerno2002]

I took 5htp for the entire month of April with my Phen. And I felt GREAT. I wanted to try the Phen with out the 5htp to see if I need the 5htp, and yes I do. It worked great with the Phen. And I felt great, slept good. I lost 16 pounds in the month of April, and I have only last 2 pounds in the month of May. So I think It works. I just have to go out this weekand to see where I can find it locally. I ordered it online last, but I dont think I can wait for delivery. Good luck, let me know where you get it from.

[frente]

i FINALLY found the thread that i needed! a good site to buy 5htp in bulk ( cuz it is pricey for an herb) is:

www dot iherb dot com/tryptophan dot html

[frente]

eeks! this is an answer that i got from a pharmacist:

It is not safe to take phentermine with either 5htp or St. John's wort. The combination can cause serotonin syndrome which is characterized by: jitteriness, palpitations, tremors, restlessness, agitation, anxiety.
Please consider subscribing to my free newsletter The Caplet
To subscribe send e-mail to
thecaplet-subscribe@topica.com
More information is available at
http://www.druginformation.bc.ca
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. Pharm

[plumeria227]

My doctor here gives me the 5-HTP to take at night with my phentermine. I have tryed not taking it to see if there is a differance and there is...It also helps your cravings with Sugar and Carb's. It also calms you down at night so you can sleep better. I can get it from my doctor for 10.00.Which is way cheap. He will also sell it over the phone if you wish to do it that way. you can email me and I can give you his info if you are still interested, I noticed that this was posted a while ago...m y k i n @ i d i g l o b a l . c o m

[LauraFL]

This is an interesting post, Im going to see if i can find more info from my doc!