Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

5-HTP w/SRT Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Jigsaw Health

Tablet Or Pill Category: Amino Acid/protein
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

5-HTP w/SRT is a dietary supplement by Jigsaw Health 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 w/SRT by Jigsaw Health

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 product contains one active ingredient: L-5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), an amino acid your body normally uses to produce serotonin, a brain chemical tied to mood, sleep, and pain processing. The remaining ingredients are inactive — cellulose, guar gum, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, and other tablet binders and coatings.

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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: mood regulation and serotonin production support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Anxiety, Depression, Fibromyalgia, Insomnia, Migraine headache, stress — and 1 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: 5-htp is rated "Possibly Effective" for Depression (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: 5-htp is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Anxiety, Migraine headache, Fibromyalgia, Insomnia.

The evidence for 5-HTP is mixed and depends on what you're using it for. For depression, it's rated possibly effective — meaning some data supports benefit, but the evidence isn't rock-solid.

For down syndrome, the evidence suggests it probably doesn't help. For panic disorder, cerebellar ataxia, and Alzheimer's disease, we don't have enough reliable data to know either way.

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.

Short-term, 5-HTP is generally well tolerated, but side effects are common. The most frequent are abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, and loss of appetite — and these tend to be dose-dependent (higher doses, more side effects).

Some people report them less as they keep taking it. Rare but serious effects include aggression, hallucinations, and mania, especially at high doses or when combined with carbidopa.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: the safety data is insufficient — there isn't enough information to know whether it's safe. The facts advise against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your specific situation before taking this if you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing.

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, double-check if you're on serotonergic drugs (antidepressants like SSRIs, SNRIs, or MAOIs; migraine drugs like triptans; or others that boost serotonin) — Moderate risk of serotonin syndrome. Also flag any CNS depressants (sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medications, opioids) — Moderate risk of additive drowsiness.

If you take carbidopa for Parkinson's disease, that's a Moderate interaction too.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

5-HTP may help some people with depression, but it works on serotonin and carries real interaction risks with antidepressants, sleep aids, anti-anxiety drugs, and other medications. If you're on any prescription, check it against this product first.

Side effects like nausea and drowsiness are common, especially early on. A conversation with your pharmacist before you start is a smart move.

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 Jun 16, 2022.

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 w/SRT, straight from the product label.

Brand Jigsaw Health
Barcode (UPC) 876634000170
Net contents 120 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 16, 2022
DSLD ID 270381
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten 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 w/SRT by Jigsaw Health, 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 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Tablet(s)
Servings per container
120
UPC/BARCODE
876634000170
IngredientAmount% DV
L-5-Hydroxytryptophan100 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Guar Gum, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Croscarmellose Sodium, Xanthan Gum, Clear Coating, Silicon Dioxide, Micro Wax

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.
General Statements

Need more? Call 1-888-352-5050 or visit jigsawhealth.com

Please recycle

Brand IP Statement(s)

Jigsaw Health It's fun to feel good

Formula

5-HTP is the raw material your body uses to make serotonin, the master mood-regulating neurotransmitter. Increasing the amount of 5-HTP in your body supports serotonin production. Because 5-HTP has a very short half-life in the body, we employ our patented Sustained Release Technology (SRT), so that you can get a longer-lasting effect. And to ensure you get the highest quality of 5-HTP available, we use only the highest quality form from the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia tree found primarily in the West African countries.

5-Hydroxytryptophan

Precautions

Should not be used if tamper evident seal is broken.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store 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.

Formulation

Maintains mental and emotional well-being. 8 hours

Non-GMO Gluten free

Vegan

Label claim verified

FDA Statement of Identity

Nutritional Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Take 1 tablet daily, with or without food. Or use as directed by your healthcare professional.

Seals/Symbols

Product of the U.S.A. with select ingredients thoughtfully curated from around the world.

See for yourself

5-HTP w/SRT by Jigsaw Health label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in 5-HTP w/SRT by Jigsaw Health

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

Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

L-5-Hydroxytryptophan

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...

L-5-Hydroxytryptophan monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Guar Gum, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Croscarmellose Sodium, Xanthan Gum, Clear Coating, Silicon Dioxide, Micro Wax. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

5-HTP w/SRT by Jigsaw Health Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against 5-HTP w/SRT?

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 w/SRT 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 w/SRT, from the product label.

Jigsaw Health

See all Jigsaw Health products
Name
Jigsaw Health, LLC.
Street Address
9035 E Pima Center Pkwy #4
City
Scottsdale
State
AZ
ZipCode
85258
Phone Number
1-888-352-5050
Web Address
JigsawHealth.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

5-HTP w/SRT by Jigsaw Health: Common Questions

Does 5-HTP w/SRT by Jigsaw Health interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, 5-HTP w/SRT 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 w/SRT 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 is 5-HTP and what does it do?
5-HTP is an amino acid your body uses to make serotonin, a brain chemical involved in mood, sleep, and pain control. Taking it as a supplement aims to boost your serotonin levels, which is why it's studied for depression and other mood-related concerns.
Will 5-HTP help with my depression?
The evidence suggests it's possibly effective for depression — meaning some studies show benefit, but the evidence isn't definitive. Whether it'll work for you is individual. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you figure out if it's worth trying alongside your current plan.
What side effects should I expect?
Common ones are nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, and loss of appetite. They tend to be dose-dependent — meaning higher doses cause more. Some people find these effects fade as their body adjusts. Rare but serious ones include aggression, hallucinations, and mood changes.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data to know either way, and the facts advise against it during both pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's right for your situation — they can weigh the pros and cons with you.
Will this make me drowsy?
Drowsiness is one of the most common side effects reported in trials. If you're also taking sleep aids, anti-anxiety drugs, or other sedating medications, the drowsiness could add up significantly. Start low and see how you respond, and avoid driving or using machinery if you feel impaired.
Is this safe to take with my antidepressant?
Not without talking to your pharmacist first. 5-HTP and most antidepressants both work on serotonin, and combining them raises the risk of serotonin syndrome — a serious condition with symptoms like rapid heart rate, muscle stiffness, and confusion. Always check your exact medication before starting this.

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

Not sure if 5-HTP w/SRT is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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 w/SRT label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

5-HTP w/SRT'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

Keep exploring