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Dietary supplement

5-HTP 100 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by NOW

5-HTP 100 mg label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Amino Acid/protein
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking 5-HTP 100 mg against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

5-HTP 100 mg is a dietary supplement by NOW with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for low mood or depression, anxiety and stress, sleep problems.Based on those ingredients, 398 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are 5-HTP. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against 5-HTP 100 mg by NOW

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with 5-HTP 100 mg by NOW — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of 5-HTP 100 mg by NOW

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 12, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: 5-HTP, a compound your body naturally produces and uses to make serotonin. Serotonin plays a key role in mood, sleep, and appetite regulation.

The capsule also contains rice flour and hypromellose (a plant-based capsule material) as inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded 5-htp's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports 5-htp for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Depression — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

The evidence we hold shows 5-HTP is possibly effective for depression. For other conditions — Alzheimer disease, panic disorder, and cerebellar ataxia (a movement disorder) — we don't have enough reliable data to rate it.

For down syndrome, the available evidence suggests it's possibly ineffective. If you're considering 5-HTP for a specific condition, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether the research supports its use for your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient 5-htp

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Orally, 5-HTP is generally well tolerated in the short term. The most common side effects are abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, drowsiness, fatigue, headache, insomnia, and vomiting — and their severity tends to depend on dose and how quickly you increase it.

Some people find these effects ease with continued use. Rare serious side effects include aggression, hallucinations, and mania.

The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding — not enough information exists to know it's safe at these times.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient 5-htp

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — 5-htp.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: Parkinson's medications.
  • For scale: 398 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check your medications if you take serotonergic drugs (antidepressants and related medications), sedating drugs (sleep aids, opioids, anxiety or allergy medications), or carbidopa. These carry Moderate interaction risks with 5-HTP.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

5-HTP might help with depression if you don't take serotonergic antidepressants or sedating medications. If you're on any prescription drug — especially for mood, anxiety, sleep, or Parkinson's — talk to your pharmacist or doctor before adding this.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are times to skip it.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jul 24, 2019.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about 5-HTP 100 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand NOW
Barcode (UPC) 733739001061
Net contents 120 Veg Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 24, 2019
DSLD ID 204643
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Gluten Free, Dairy Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for 5-HTP 100 mg by NOW, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Veg Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veg Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
733739001061
IngredientAmount% DV
5-HTP100 mg--

Other ingredients: Rice Flour, Hypromellose

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Usage: Take 1 capsule daily, preferably on an empty stomach at bedtime.

Formula

5-HTP, the intermediate metabolite between the amino acid L-tryptophan and serotonin, is extracted from the seed of an African plant (Griffonia simplicifolia).

Triangle K

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Precautions

Caution: For adults only.

Not recommended for pregnant/nursing women. Consult physician if taking medications (especially antidepressants), or have a medical condition.

May cause drowsiness and mild transient GI symptoms. Take with food in case of GI upset.

Keep out of reach of children.

Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.

General Statements

Natural color variation may occur in this product.

Neurotransmitter Support Supports a Positive Mood

Amino Acids

Family owned since 1968.

Seals/Symbols

Non-GMO Triangle K

GMP Quality Assured

Formulation

Non-GMO

Vegetarian/Vegan

Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients.

FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place after opening.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

5-HTP 100 mg by NOW label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

5-HTP 100 mg label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in 5-HTP 100 mg by NOW

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Veg Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

5-HTP

Interacts with
398 drugs
100 mg per serving Form: Griffonia simplicifolia Seed Extract

5-HTP is a compound your body uses to make serotonin, and people take it as a supplement hoping to improve mood, sleep, and headaches. Some early rese...

5-HTP monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Rice Flour, Hypromellose. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

5-HTP 100 mg by NOW Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against 5-HTP 100 mg?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
398Drugs
398 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

5-HTP 398

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in 5-HTP 100 mg interact with 398 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in 5-HTP 100 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. 5-HTP

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in 5-HTP 100 mg with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

5-HTP3 drug types · 398 drugs

Carbidopa (Lodosyn)

Combining 5-HTP and carbidopa can increase the risk of serotonergic side effects.
Carbidopa is sometimes used with 5-HTP to minimize peripheral 5-HTP metabolism and boost the amount that reaches the brain. However, this combination might also increase the risk of some side effects including hypomania, restlessness, rapid speech, anxiety, insomnia, and aggressiveness. Combining carbidopa and 5-HTP might also increase the risk of scleroderma-like skin changes due to elevated serotonin levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cns Depressants

Theoretically, concomitant use of 5-HTP with medications that cause sedation might have additive effects.
In clinical trials, 5-HTP has been associated with drowsiness and somnolence.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Serotonergic Drugs

Combining serotonergic drugs with 5-HTP might cause additive serotonergic effects.
5-HTP can increase serotonin levels and cause serotonergic effects. Theoretically, combining serotonergic drugs with 5-HTP might increase the risk of serotonergic side effects, including serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders. However, serotonin syndrome with 5-HTP has not yet been reported in humans. Monitor patients for signs of serotonin syndrome and other serotonergic side effects if using 5-HTP with serotonergic drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
5-HTP full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for 5-HTP 100 mg, from the product label.

NOW

See all NOW products
Name
NOW Foods
Street Address
395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd.
City
Bloomingdale
State
IL
ZipCode
60108
Web Address
www.nowfoods.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

5-HTP 100 mg by NOW: Common Questions

Does 5-HTP 100 mg by NOW interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, 5-HTP 100 mg has a known interaction with 398 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
5-HTP 100 mg contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take 5-HTP with my antidepressant?
Not without checking with your pharmacist first. Combining 5-HTP with serotonergic antidepressants (like SSRIs, SNRIs, and others) is a Moderate interaction — it could boost serotonin too much and raise the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially serious condition. Your pharmacist or doctor needs to weigh the risks for your specific medication.
Will 5-HTP make me drowsy?
Yes, drowsiness is one of the most common side effects seen in clinical trials. If you also take sedating medications — sleep aids, anti-anxiety drugs, or opioids — the drowsiness could be worse. Start with a low dose and see how you feel.
Is 5-HTP safe during pregnancy?
The safety data advises against it — there isn't enough information to know it's safe during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Can I take 5-HTP while breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against it — not enough information exists to know it's safe while breastfeeding. Speak with your pharmacist or doctor about whether it's right for you.
What does 5-HTP do in my body?
5-HTP is a building block your body uses to make serotonin, a brain chemical that helps regulate mood, sleep, and appetite. The idea is that raising serotonin levels might ease depression, but the evidence is still modest — we rate it as possibly effective for that use.
Will the side effects go away if I keep taking it?
Some people find that gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and diarrhea ease or disappear with continued use, especially if you increase the dose slowly. But others may experience persistent effects, and rare serious ones like hallucinations or mania have been reported. If you develop side effects, talk to your pharmacist.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if 5-HTP 100 mg is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

5-HTP 100 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind 5-HTP 100 mg’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

5-htp

Interacts with 398 drugs

5-HTP is a compound your body uses to make serotonin, and people take it as a supplement hoping to improve mood, sleep, and headaches. Some early research is promising, but the overall evide...

Read the full 5-htp monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

5-HTP 100 mg's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 32 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

5-htp 32 references
  1. Birdsall TC. 5-Hydroxytryptophan: A Clinically-Effective Serotonin Precursor. Altern Med Rev 1998;3:271-80.
  2. Michelson D, Page SW, Casey R, et al. An eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome related disorder associated with exposure to L-5-hydroxytryptophan. J Rheumatol 1994;21:2261-5.
  3. Cangiano C, Ceci F, Cancino A, et al. Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;56:863-7. PubMed
  4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Impurities confirmed in dietary supplement 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan. FDA Talk Paper, August 31, 1998; T98-48.
  5. Sternberg EM, Van Woert MH, Young SN, et al. Development of a scleroderma-like illness during therapy with L-5-hydroxytryptophan and carbidopa. N Engl J Med 1980;303:782-7. PubMed
  6. Poldinger W, Calanchini B, Schwarz W. A functional-dimensional approach to depression: serotonin deficiency as a target syndrome in a comparison of 5-hydroxytryptophan and fluvoxamine. Psychopathology 1991;24:53-81.
  7. Ribeiro CA. L-5-Hydroxytryptophan in the prophylaxis of chronic tension-type headache: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Headache 2000;40:451-6.
  8. U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements. Information Paper on L-Tryptophan and 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, February 2001.
  9. Singhal AB, Caviness VS, Begleiter AF, et al. Cerebral vasoconstriction and stroke after use of serotonergic drugs. Neurology 2002;58:130-3. PubMed
  10. Johnson KL, Klarskov K, Benson LM, et al. Presence of peak X and related compounds: the reported contaminant in case related 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan associated with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. J Rheumatol 1999;26:2714-7.
  11. Takahashi S, Kondo H, Kato N. Effect of l-5-hydroxytryptophan on brain monoamine metabolism and evaluation of its clinical effect in depressed patients. J Psychiatr Res 1975;12:177-87. PubMed
  12. Iovieno, N., Dalton, E. D., Fava, M., and Mischoulon, D. Second-tier natural antidepressants: review and critique. J Affect.Disord. 2011;130(3):343-357. PubMed
  13. den Boer JA, Westenberg HG. Behavioral, neuroendocrine, and biochemical effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan administration in panic disorder. Psychiatry Res 1990;31:267-78. PubMed
  14. Jangid P, Malik P, Singh P, Sharma M, Gulia AK. Comparative study of efficacy of l-5-hydroxytryptophan and fluoxetine in patients presenting with first depressive episode. Asian J Psychiatr 2013;6:29-34. PubMed
  15. Ceci F, Cangiano C, Cairella M, et al. The effects of oral 5-hydroxytryptophan administration on feeding behavior in obese adult female subjects. J Neural Transm 1989;76:109-17. PubMed
  16. Angst J, Woggon B, Schoepf J. The treatment of depression with L-5-hydroxytryptophan versus imipramine. Results of two open and one double-blind study. Arch Psychiatr Nervenkr 1977;224:175-86. DOI
  17. Titus F, Dávalos A, Alom J, Codina A. 5-Hydroxytryptophan versus methysergide in the prophylaxis of migraine. Randomized clinical trial. Eur Neurol 1986;25:327-9. PubMed
  18. De Benedittis G, Massei R. Serotonin precursors in chronic primary headache. A double-blind cross-over study with L-5-hydroxytryptophan vs. placebo. J Neurosurg Sci 1985;29:239-48.
  19. Van Woert, M. H., Rosenbaum, D., Howieson, J., and Bowers, M. B., Jr. Long-term therapy of myoclonus and other neurologic disorders with L-5- hydroxytryptophan and carbidopa. N Engl J Med 1-13-1977;296(2):70-75. PubMed
  20. Wyatt, R. J., Vaughan, T., Galanter, M., Kaplan, J., and Green, R. Behavioral changes of chronic schizophrenic patients given L-5- hydroxytryptophan. Science 9-22-1972;177(54):1124-1126. PubMed
  21. Chase, T. N., Ng, L. K., and Watanabe, A. M. Parkinson's disease. Modification by 5-hydroxytryptophan. Neurology 1972;22(5):479-484.
  22. van Hiele LJ. l-5-Hydroxytryptophan in depression: the first substitution therapy in psychiatry? The treatment of 99 out-patients with 'therapy-resistant' depressions. Neuropsychobiology 1980;6:230-40. PubMed
  23. Pranzatelli, M. R., Tate, E., Huang, Y., Haas, R. H., Bodensteiner, J., Ashwal, S., and Franz, D. Neuropharmacology of progressive myoclonus epilepsy: response to 5- hydroxy-L-tryptophan. Epilepsia 1995;36(8):783-791. PubMed
  24. Trouillas P, Serratrice G, Laplane D, et al. Levorotatory form of 5-hydroxytryptophan in Friedreich's ataxia. Results of a double-blind drug-placebo cooperative study. Arch Neurol 1995;52:456-60. PubMed
  25. Bastard, J., Truelle, J. L., and Emile, J. [Effectiveness of 5 hydroxy-tryptophan in Parkinson's disease]. Nouv Presse Med 9-11-1976;5(29):1836-1837.
  26. Auffret, M., Comte, H., and Bene, J. Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome induced by L-5 hydroxytryptophane: about three cases. Fund Clin Pharmacol 2013;Suppl 1(120):poster P2-204.
  27. Wyatt, R. J., Vaughan, T., Kaplan, J., Galanter, M., and Green, R. 5-Hydroxytryptophan and chronic schizophrenia. In: Barchas J and Usdin E. Serotonin and Behavior. New York: Acedemic Press;1973.
  28. Das YT, Bagchi M, Bagchi D, Preuss HG. Safety of 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan. Toxicol Lett 2004;150:111-22. PubMed
  29. Pardo JV. Mania following addition of hydroxytryptophan to monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2012;34(1):102.e13-4. PubMed
  30. Michelson D, Page SW, Casey R, et al. An eosinophilia-myaligia syndrome related disorder associated with exposure to l-5-hydroxytryptophan. J Rheumatol 1994;21(12):2261-5.
  31. Yousefzadeh F, Sahebolzamani E, Sadri A, et al. 5-Hydroxytryptophan as adjuvant therapy in treatment of moderate to severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: a double-blind randomized trial with placebo control. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2020;35(5):254-262. PubMed
  32. Maffei ME. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): Natural Occurrence, Analysis, Biosynthesis, Biotechnology, Physiology and Toxicology. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;22(1):181. PubMed

See these in context on the 5-htp monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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