What is the recommended dose of 5-HTP?

- **Depression:** 150-300mg/day in divided doses (50-100mg 3x/day) - **Appetite suppression:** 250-300mg/day - **Sleep:** 100-300mg, 30 min before bed - **General:** Start at 50mg and titrate up. H...

Is 5-HTP safe to take daily?

5-HTP is rated "Prescription Interactions" based on clinical evidence. | Effect | Dose Threshold | Notes | |---|---|---| | Nausea | 200-300mg | Most common; split dosing reduces incidence | | Vomiting | 200-300mg | Split into 100mg 2-3x daily to prevent | | Diarrhea | Any dose | Less common | | Cons

Does 5-HTP interact with any medications?

5-HTP has 8 known drug interactions, including interactions with SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine, escitalopram, etc.), SNRIs (venlafaxine, duloxetine), MAO inhibitors (phenelzine, tranylcypromine). Check with your doctor before combining with prescription medications.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

5-HTP

MODERATE EVIDENCEAmino AcidLast updated April 2026

AVELOR SUMMARY

5-HTP is a direct precursor to serotonin. Our research shows moderate evidence for depression and appetite suppression, but the SSRI interaction makes this a high-risk supplement for anyone on antidepressants. Only take under medical supervision.

EVIDENCE GRADES

DepressionModerate, 8 trials, 711 participants, 1 meta-analysis

Appetite suppression / ObesityModerate, limited but positive RCTs

B-

Sleep qualityLow-moderate, indirect via serotonin

C+

AnxietyLow, limited clinical evidence

FibromyalgiaLow, preliminary evidence only

WHAT IT DOES

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is an amino acid naturally produced in the body from L-tryptophan. It serves as the immediate precursor to serotonin, your body converts 5-HTP to serotonin via aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. Unlike tryptophan, 5-HTP crosses the blood-brain barrier readily and doesn't compete with other amino acids for transport, making it a more direct route to increase central serotonin levels.

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Depression: 150-300mg/day in divided doses (50-100mg 3x/day)
Appetite suppression: 250-300mg/day
Sleep: 100-300mg, 30 min before bed
General: Start at 50mg and titrate up. Half-life is ~4 hours, so divided doses are preferred.
Take with food initially to reduce GI effects, though absorption may be slightly better on empty stomach.

Scan a supplement containing 5-HTP

DRUG INTERACTIONS

SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine, escitalopram, etc.)Severe

Additive serotonergic effects → serotonin syndrome risk

SNRIs (venlafaxine, duloxetine)Severe

Same serotonin syndrome risk

MAO inhibitors (phenelzine, tranylcypromine)Severe

Dramatically increased serotonin levels → serotonin syndrome

Triptans (sumatriptan)Severe

Additive serotonergic effects

CarbidopaMinor

Increases 5-HTP bioavailability; unclear clinical significance

TramadolSevere

Serotonergic opioid; additive serotonin risk

St. John's WortSevere

Additive serotonergic effects

SAMeSevere

Additive serotonergic effects

SAFETY PROFILE

Side Effects

Drug Interactions

Precautions

GI conditions: High doses (200-300mg) exacerbate GI disturbances
Eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS): Historical contamination concern, "peak X" contaminant in poorly purified batches linked to EMS outbreak. Modern manufacturing has largely eliminated this, but buy from reputable manufacturers with third-party testing (UNCITED: the cited PMID did not support this claim and was removed; this statement is not currently sourced).
Do not combine with ANY serotonergic drug or supplement, serotonin syndrome is a medical emergency

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy: AVOID, not studied in pregnancy
Lactation: AVOID, not studied in breastfeeding

WADA Status

Not Prohibited (2026 WADA list)

HOW AVELOR SCORES THIS

Products score well: 50-100mg per capsule (allows flexible dosing), third-party tested for peak X contaminants, no serotonergic ingredients combined

Products get flagged: >200mg single capsule (GI risk), combination products with St. John's Wort or other serotonergics, no third-party testing

Auto-flag:If user's medication profile includes ANY SSRI, SNRI, MAOI, or triptan, 5-HTP receives an automatic SEVERE interaction alert

CLINICAL REFERENCES

Reference identifiers on this page are being re-verified against PubMed. Some may not yet link to the paper named beside them.

, Cangiano C et al. Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan. *Am J Clin Nutr.* 1992.

(1992). PMID: 1384305

RELATED RESEARCH

Acetyl-L-CarnitineMeta-analysis of 21 double-blind RCTs found significant cognitive improvement in MCI and early Alzhe

L-ArginineMeta-analysis of 11 RCTs: arginine reduced systolic BP by 5.39 mmHg and diastolic by 2.66 mmHg at do

BCAAs / EAAs

Beta-AlanineBeta-alanine is the rate-limiting precursor to carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidin

Scan Your 5-HTP Supplement Browse all ingredients

Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated: April 2026

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

Discover More

Explore

Browse All 834 Ingredients Browse All 20 Conditions

Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

5-HTP

MODERATE EVIDENCEAmino AcidLast updated April 2026

AVELOR SUMMARY

EVIDENCE GRADES

DepressionModerate, 8 trials, 711 participants, 1 meta-analysis

Appetite suppression / ObesityModerate, limited but positive RCTs

B-

Sleep qualityLow-moderate, indirect via serotonin

C+

AnxietyLow, limited clinical evidence

FibromyalgiaLow, preliminary evidence only

WHAT IT DOES

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Depression: 150-300mg/day in divided doses (50-100mg 3x/day)
Appetite suppression: 250-300mg/day
Sleep: 100-300mg, 30 min before bed
General: Start at 50mg and titrate up. Half-life is ~4 hours, so divided doses are preferred.
Take with food initially to reduce GI effects, though absorption may be slightly better on empty stomach.

Scan a supplement containing 5-HTP

DRUG INTERACTIONS

SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine, escitalopram, etc.)Severe

Additive serotonergic effects → serotonin syndrome risk

SNRIs (venlafaxine, duloxetine)Severe

Same serotonin syndrome risk

MAO inhibitors (phenelzine, tranylcypromine)Severe

Dramatically increased serotonin levels → serotonin syndrome

Triptans (sumatriptan)Severe

Additive serotonergic effects

CarbidopaMinor

Increases 5-HTP bioavailability; unclear clinical significance

TramadolSevere

Serotonergic opioid; additive serotonin risk

St. John's WortSevere

Additive serotonergic effects

SAMeSevere

Additive serotonergic effects

SAFETY PROFILE

Side Effects

Drug Interactions

Precautions

GI conditions: High doses (200-300mg) exacerbate GI disturbances
Eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS): Historical contamination concern, "peak X" contaminant in poorly purified batches linked to EMS outbreak. Modern manufacturing has largely eliminated this, but buy from reputable manufacturers with third-party testing (UNCITED: the cited PMID did not support this claim and was removed; this statement is not currently sourced).
Do not combine with ANY serotonergic drug or supplement, serotonin syndrome is a medical emergency

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy: AVOID, not studied in pregnancy
Lactation: AVOID, not studied in breastfeeding

WADA Status

Not Prohibited (2026 WADA list)

HOW AVELOR SCORES THIS

Products score well: 50-100mg per capsule (allows flexible dosing), third-party tested for peak X contaminants, no serotonergic ingredients combined

Products get flagged: >200mg single capsule (GI risk), combination products with St. John's Wort or other serotonergics, no third-party testing

Auto-flag:If user's medication profile includes ANY SSRI, SNRI, MAOI, or triptan, 5-HTP receives an automatic SEVERE interaction alert

CLINICAL REFERENCES

Reference identifiers on this page are being re-verified against PubMed. Some may not yet link to the paper named beside them.

, Cangiano C et al. Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan. *Am J Clin Nutr.* 1992.

(1992). PMID: 1384305

RELATED RESEARCH

Acetyl-L-CarnitineMeta-analysis of 21 double-blind RCTs found significant cognitive improvement in MCI and early Alzhe

L-ArginineMeta-analysis of 11 RCTs: arginine reduced systolic BP by 5.39 mmHg and diastolic by 2.66 mmHg at do

BCAAs / EAAs

Beta-AlanineBeta-alanine is the rate-limiting precursor to carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidin

Scan Your 5-HTP Supplement Browse all ingredients

Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated: April 2026

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

Discover More

Explore

Browse All 834 Ingredients Browse All 20 Conditions