Herb & supplement monograph

Griffonia Simplicifolia Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS ·Updated July 2026

What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Griffonia Simplicifolia interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Griffonia Simplicifolia is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Griffonia Simplicifolia is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

Check Griffonia Simplicifolia against your medication

Add one medication

✓ Supplement

Griffonia Simplicifolia

1 Your medication

Start typing any prescription or over-the-counter drug name.

Reviewed by licensed pharmacists Sourced from Natural Medicines

On this page

Griffonia Simplicifolia Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the risk of clinically significant Griffonia Simplicifolia drug interactions is moderate, and the concern applies mainly to medications that affect serotonin or slow the nervous system. None of the listed interactions are rated major, but all of them are rated moderate, largely because this supplement naturally contains 5-HTP, a building block of serotonin.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The combinations that deserve the most care involve antidepressants, including MAOIs, and serotonin-affecting pain or cough medicines such as tramadol, meperidine, pentazocine, and dextromethorphan. Adding 5-HTP to these drugs could theoretically raise serotonin too high, a condition called serotonin syndrome. Carbidopa carries a similar concern along with other reported effects like restlessness and mood changes. Because 5-HTP has caused drowsiness in studies, combining this supplement with sedating medicines may add to that effect.

What the rest of the list means

The long list of interacting medications reflects a small number of shared themes, mostly serotonin effects, spread across many individual drugs. These concerns are theoretical, based on what 5-HTP could do rather than on well-documented harm from Griffonia itself in people. That said, serotonin syndrome can be serious, which is why the caution applies broadly.

Check your medications against Griffonia Simplicifolia

Based on HelloPharmacist’s Griffonia Simplicifolia interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Griffonia Simplicifolia

317 medications have a known interaction with Griffonia Simplicifolia, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

Tell us the medications you take and we’ll check each one against Griffonia Simplicifolia using our pharmacist-reviewed interaction data.

AI summaries are generated from our Griffonia Simplicifolia interaction data for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI

2,830 drugs

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Griffonia Simplicifolia combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

The big picture

The kinds of drugs Griffonia Simplicifolia affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Griffonia Simplicifolia is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 8 drug categories Griffonia Simplicifolia interacts with

Antidepressant DrugsCarbidopa (lodosyn)Cns DepressantsDextromethorphan (robitussin Dm, Others)Meperidine (demerol)Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (maois)Pentazocine (talwin)Tramadol (ultram)

Antidepressant Drugs

Theoretically, taking Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract with antidepressant drugs might increase the risk of serotonergic adverse effects, such as serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders such as Call-Fleming syndrome.
Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract contains 5-HTP. Taking 5-HTP with antidepressant drugs increases the risk of serotonergic adverse effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Carbidopa (Lodosyn)

Theoretically, taking Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract with carbidopa might increase the risk of serotonergic and other adverse effects.
Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract contains 5-HTP. Taking 5-HTP with carbidopa increases the risk of serotonergic adverse effects, scleroderma-like skin reactions, hypomania, restlessness, rapid speech, anxiety, insomnia, and aggressiveness.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, taking Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract with CNS depressants might increase the risk of additive CNS depression.
Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract contains 5-HTP. In clinical trials, 5-HTP has been associated with drowsiness and somnolence.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Dextromethorphan (Robitussin Dm, Others)

Theoretically, taking Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract with dextromethorphan might increase the risk of serotonergic adverse effects, such as serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders such as Call-Fleming syndrome.
Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract contains 5-HTP. Taking 5-HTP with dextromethorphan increases the risk of serotonergic adverse effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Meperidine (Demerol)

Theoretically, taking Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract with meperidine might increase the risk of serotonergic adverse effects, such as serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders such as Call-Fleming syndrome.
Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract contains 5-HTP. Taking 5-HTP with meperidine increases the risk of serotonergic adverse effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Maois)

Theoretically, taking Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract with MAOIs might increase the risk of serotonergic adverse effects, such as serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders such as Call-Fleming syndrome.
Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract contains 5-HTP. Taking 5-HTP with MAOIs increases the risk of serotonergic adverse effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Pentazocine (Talwin)

Theoretically, taking Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract with pentazocine drugs might increase the risk of serotonergic adverse effects, such as serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders such as Call-Fleming syndrome.
Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract contains 5-HTP. Taking 5-HTP with pentazocine increases the risk of serotonergic adverse effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Tramadol (Ultram)

Theoretically, taking Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract with tramadol might increase the risk of serotonergic adverse effects, such as serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders such as Call-Fleming syndrome.
Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract contains 5-HTP. Taking 5-HTP with tramadol increases the risk of serotonergic adverse effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Monograph

Griffonia Simplicifolia: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Reviewed July 2026 ·

The bottom line

Griffonia simplicifolia is a West African shrub whose seeds are a natural source of 5-HTP, a building block of the brain chemical serotonin. Some people use it for mood, sleep, and appetite, but high-quality human evidence is limited, and it should not replace prescribed treatment. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you take medicines that affect serotonin.

Scientific name: Griffonia simplicifolia
Family: Fabaceae
Part used: Seeds
Common forms: Capsules, tablets, powder, standardized 5-HTP extracts

People commonly use it for

Low mood
Sleep problems
Anxiety
Appetite control
Headaches

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance

OverallUse caution

May be tolerated by some adults, but quality evidence is limited and side effects can occur.

PregnancyInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail

BreastfeedingInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Jump to a section

Overview

Griffonia simplicifolia is a woody climbing shrub that grows in West and Central Africa. It has small white or greenish flowers, dark green leaves, and long pods that hold shiny black seeds.

The seeds are the part used in supplements because they are a rich natural source of 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan). 5-HTP is a compound the body can turn into serotonin, a brain chemical involved in mood, sleep, and appetite. For this reason, Griffonia is often sold as a "natural" 5-HTP product in capsules and tablets.

How it works

The main active compound in Griffonia seeds is 5-HTP. Once absorbed, 5-HTP can cross into the brain and be converted into serotonin, a chemical messenger that helps regulate mood, sleep, and feelings of fullness.

Serotonin can also be turned into melatonin, a hormone involved in the sleep-wake cycle, which is one reason people try it for sleep. Much of what we know about these pathways comes from laboratory studies and research on 5-HTP rather than large trials of the whole herb, so the real-world effects in people are still uncertain.

Effectiveness

Does Griffonia Simplicifolia work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD.

Evidence overview · 11 uses evaluated

11 Insufficient evidence

How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.

2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.

3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.

4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.

5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.

6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.

7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

For Griffonia Simplicifolia, current evidence isn’t strong enough to rate any specific use. The conditions it has been studied for are listed below.

Also studied for 11 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Abdominal pain