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Dietary supplement

5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Micro Ingredients

Softgel Capsule Category: Amino Acid/protein
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 mg is a dietary supplement by Micro Ingredients 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 L-5-Hydroxytryptophan. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of 5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 mg by Micro Ingredients

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

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 softgel contains one active ingredient: L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a compound your body naturally makes and uses to produce serotonin, a brain chemical linked to mood and sleep. The capsule shell is made from vegetarian material.

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 suggests 5-HTP is possibly effective for depression. For other conditions—Alzheimer's disease, panic disorder, and cerebellar ataxia (a coordination disorder)—the research we have isn't reliable enough to rate it one way or the other.

For Down syndrome, the available evidence points toward it being ineffective.

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.

Taken by mouth in the short term, 5-HTP is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, headache, insomnia, and vomiting—and they tend to be dose-dependent, meaning higher doses bring more risk.

A small number of reports document rare serious effects including aggression, hallucinations, and mania. Gastrointestinal upset may lessen or disappear with continued use.

The safety data advises against 5-HTP during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because there isn't enough information to know it's safe. If you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this supplement.

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.

Before taking this product, check with your pharmacist if you're on any serotonergic drugs (antidepressants like SSRIs, SNRIs, or MAOIs; migraine medications; tramadol; or others that raise serotonin). Also double-check if you take CNS depressants like sleep aids or sedatives, or if you're on carbidopa for Parkinson's disease.

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 may be worth considering if you're interested in a natural approach to depression and want to explore it with your doctor. However, because it raises serotonin and interacts with a large number of medications—especially antidepressants and other serotonergic drugs—you need to check your full medication list with a pharmacist before you start.

It's not for use in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

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 Oct 22, 2021.

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 Griffonia Seed Extract 200 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Micro Ingredients
Net contents 180 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 22, 2021
DSLD ID 256748
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), 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 Griffonia Seed Extract 200 mg by Micro Ingredients, 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:
200 mg
Maximum serving Sizes:
200 mg
Servings per container
90
IngredientAmount% DV
L-5-Hydroxytryptophan200 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetarian Softgel

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.
Formula

200 mg per serving

Formulation

No soy No gluten No GMOs

Free Of: Soy, dairy, yeast, gluten & additives.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take 2 softgels daily.

Precautions

For best results, please consult your physician.

Keep out of reach of children.

If pregnant/lactating or taking any medications, please consult your physician prior to use.

Storage

Keep in a cool, dry place.

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.

See for yourself

5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 mg by Micro Ingredients label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in 5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 mg by Micro Ingredients

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

Serving size200 mg Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container90 Amounts shown are per serving.

L-5-Hydroxytryptophan

Interacts with
398 drugs
200 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...

L-5-Hydroxytryptophan monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Vegetarian Softgel. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 mg by Micro Ingredients Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against 5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 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

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in 5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 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.

L-5-Hydroxytryptophan3 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
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for 5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 mg, from the product label.

Micro Ingredients

See all Micro Ingredients products
Name
Micro Ingredients
Street Address
4951 Holt Blvd, Suite A
City
Montclair
State
CA
ZipCode
91763
Phone Number
1-844-836-8200
Web Address
www.microingredients.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 mg by Micro Ingredients: Common Questions

Does 5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 mg by Micro Ingredients interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, 5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 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 Griffonia Seed Extract 200 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.
What does 5-HTP actually do?
5-HTP is a building block your body uses to make serotonin, a brain chemical that plays a role in mood and sleep. By raising serotonin, it may help lift depression in some people, though the evidence is still developing for other conditions.
Will this make me drowsy?
Yes, drowsiness and somnolence have been reported in clinical trials of 5-HTP. If you take sedating medications or CNS depressants, the effect could be stronger. Start low and see how your body responds.
What stomach side effects should I expect?
Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting are common, especially when you first start or if you increase the dose quickly. The good news is that some people find these ease or disappear with time. Taking it with food may help.
Can I take this if I'm on an antidepressant?
Not without checking with your pharmacist first. Combining 5-HTP with antidepressants or any serotonergic drug carries a real risk of serotonin syndrome. Use the medication checker on this page or talk to your doctor before adding this supplement.
Is it safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No, the safety data advises against it because there isn't enough information to know it's safe. If you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing, talk with your doctor before taking 5-HTP.

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

Not sure if 5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 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 Griffonia Seed Extract 200 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind 5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 mg’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

5-HTP Griffonia Seed Extract 200 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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