5HTP supplement causes nausea/vomiting

[mike1127]

I'm asking on behalf of a friend who is disabled and doesn't have much facility with a computer-- she wants to try 5HTP for her depression, but when she has tried it in the past she gets nausea and vomiting. She wonders

• Does 5HTP come in a tablet form (she tolerates these better than capsules speaking generally)?
• Any tricks for reducing the irritation that it causes? Can she take something with it? (this might be something that helps nausea in general, not just 5HTP)

 

[RTrain]

I've read around on it and that seems like a common side effect. Its often used as a appetite suppressant, so its no surprise it messes with the stomach and GI tract.

Also you say this person is taking it for depression, it interacts poorly with SSRI and MAOI meds, so if she is on one its best to forget about the 5-HTP. The combination apparently can increase suicidal thoughts and will usually cause nausea.

 

[mike1127]

She's not on an SSRI or any anti-depressant. In the past she has gotten benefit from a low dose of 5HTP but stopped it eventually due to nausea.