Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Based on 4 of 5 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Neurotransmitter Balance Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Douglas Laboratories

Neurotransmitter Balance label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Major
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Neurotransmitter Balance 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: Major

Neurotransmitter Balance is a dietary supplement by Douglas Laboratories with 5 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for mental focus and alertness, coping with stress, fatigue and sleep loss.Based on those ingredients, 569 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are 5-HTP, Mucuna pruriens extract, SAMe. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Neurotransmitter Balance by Douglas Laboratories

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Neurotransmitter Balance by Douglas Laboratories — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Neurotransmitter Balance by Douglas Laboratories

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 Aug 27, 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 5 of its 5 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Neurotransmitter Balance contains 5 active ingredients. L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that serves as a building block for thyroid hormones and brain chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine.

5-HTP is an amino acid compound that boosts serotonin, a brain chemical linked to mood and sleep. Mucuna pruriens extract is a plant source of levodopa, a precursor to dopamine.

SAMe is a compound that participates in methylation reactions throughout the body and is involved in neurotransmitter and cartilage production. The product also contains inactive ingredients: capsule material, calcium chloride, and calcium oxide.

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: neurotransmitter balance and mood support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Insomnia, Fibromyalgia, Migraine headache — and 2 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Same is rated "Possibly Effective" for Depression (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: 5-htp is rated "Possibly Effective" for Depression.
  • Also on file: Same is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Migraine headache, Fibromyalgia.

L-Tyrosine is effective for phenylketonuria (PKU); it's possibly effective for cognitive function and memory, but possibly ineffective for athletic performance. Evidence is insufficient to rate it for alcohol use disorder or dementia.

5-HTP is possibly effective for depression but possibly ineffective for Down syndrome; evidence is insufficient for Alzheimer disease, panic disorder, and cerebellar ataxia. Mucuna pruriens extract has insufficient evidence for anxiety, erythema, hyperprolactinemia, myalgia, Parkinson disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

SAMe is likely effective for osteoarthritis and possibly effective for depression and cholestasis; evidence is insufficient for Alzheimer disease and ADHD.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Tyrosine 5-htp Cowhage Same

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 4 of the 4 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 4 of 4.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 4 of 4.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

L-Tyrosine is generally well tolerated in healthy adults but lacks thorough safety data — talk to your doctor before regular use. Most common side effects are fatigue, headache, heartburn, and nausea; larger doses can worsen these.

Pregnancy and lactation safety data are not on file. 5-HTP is generally well tolerated short-term but causes drowsiness and gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain) that may be dose-dependent.

Rare serious effects include aggression, hallucinations, and mania. Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding — safety data are insufficient.

Mucuna pruriens extract contains levodopa and should be used with professional guidance. Common side effects are diarrhea, flatulence, and mucosal irritation.

Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding — the levodopa content raises dopamine in ways unsafe in pregnancy, and L-dopa can lower prolactin and reduce milk supply. SAMe is generally well tolerated at typical doses; side effects are more common at higher doses and include stomach upset, dizziness, headache, insomnia, and nausea.

It may trigger mania in people with bipolar disorder. Pregnancy safety is possibly safe; lactation safety data are not on file.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Tyrosine 5-htp Cowhage Same

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 4 of the 4 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Same, 5-htp, Cowhage, Tyrosine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications; Parkinson's medications.
  • For scale: 569 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, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take: non-selective MAOIs or methyldopa (Major risk); levodopa itself (Major risk); any serotonergic drug like an antidepressant, 5-HTP booster, or serotonin agonist (Moderate risk); thyroid hormone medication, antidiabetes drugs, antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, guanethidine, or certain anesthetics (Moderate risk); or CNS depressants like sedatives. If you take carbidopa, note the Moderate interaction with 5-HTP in this product.

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. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product combines ingredients that influence dopamine, serotonin, and thyroid function — effects that help explain its broad interaction profile. If you take levodopa, a blood pressure medication, an antidepressant, thyroid medication, a diabetes drug, an antipsychotic, or any MAOI, you need to clear this product with your own doctor or pharmacist before starting.

Even if you're not on those drugs, discuss it first — the combination of multiple neuroactive ingredients means your healthcare provider should weigh the benefits against your individual health picture.

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

Assessment coverage: 4 of 5 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Aug 23, 2020.

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 Neurotransmitter Balance, straight from the product label.

Brand Douglas Laboratories
Barcode (UPC) 310539040744
Net contents 60 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 23, 2020
DSLD ID 232759
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating), 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 Neurotransmitter Balance by Douglas Laboratories, 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:
2 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
310539040744
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Tyrosine300 mg--
5-HTP75 mg--
Mucuna pruriens extract200 mg--
SAMe200 mg--
Venetron50 mg--

Other ingredients: Capsule, Calcium Chloride, Calcium Oxide

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: As a dietary supplement, adults take 2 capsules daily or as directed by your health professional. Do not open capsules before consuming.

Precautions

Do not open capsules before consuming.

Warning: Not to be taken by pregnant or lactating women. If you have any health condition or are taking any medication, particularly psychiatric medication or if you have bipolar disorder, consult your health professional before use. Do not use concurrently with antidepressants, antipsychotics, or drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Use only if safety seal is intact.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Venetron is a registered trademark of Tokiwa Phytochemical Co., Ltd.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Formulation

Gluten-free, Non-GMO

Support for a sense of calmness, well-being, and restful sleep

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

General Statements

Scan to learn about our manufacturing excellence Contents may not fill package in order to accommodate required labeling. Please rely on stated quantity.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

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

See for yourself

Neurotransmitter Balance by Douglas Laboratories label

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

Neurotransmitter Balance 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 Neurotransmitter Balance by Douglas Laboratories

These are the 5 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

L-Tyrosine

Interacts with
21 drugs
300 mg per serving

L-tyrosine is an amino acid your body uses to make brain chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine. Some studies suggest it may help mental performan...

L-Tyrosine monograph & interactions

5-HTP

Interacts with
398 drugs
75 mg per serving

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

Mucuna pruriens extract

Interacts with
193 drugs
200 mg per serving

Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens) is a tropical legume best known as a natural source of L-dopa, the compound the body turns into dopamine. It is most studied...

Mucuna pruriens extract monograph & interactions

SAMe

Interacts with
189 drugs
200 mg per serving Form: S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine Disulfate P-Toluenesulfonate

SAM-e is a compound your body makes naturally that is sold as a supplement, most often for depression and osteoarthritis. Some research suggests it ma...

SAMe monograph & interactions

Venetron

50 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Capsule, Calcium Chloride, Calcium Oxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Neurotransmitter Balance by Douglas Laboratories Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Neurotransmitter Balance?

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
569Drugs
17 Major 552 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

5-HTP 398
Mucuna pruriens extract 193
SAMe 189
L-Tyrosine 21

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Neurotransmitter Balance interact with 569 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

4 of the 5 ingredients in Neurotransmitter Balance interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. 5-HTP Mucuna pruriens extract SAMe L-Tyrosine

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Neurotransmitter Balance with known interactions, here are the types of medications they 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

Mucuna pruriens extract8 drug types · 193 drugs

Levodopa

Concomitant use can increase the risk of levodopa-related adverse effects.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Some cowhage products have been standardized to contain 75-400 mg of levodopa per dose.

Likelihood Likely Evidence D
Methyldopa (Aldomet)

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and methyldopa might increase the risk of hypotension.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with methyldopa might cause additive hypotension. In addition, methyldopa may inhibit peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa and increase levodopa levels in the central nervous system; avoid using.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Maois)

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and non-selective MAOIs might increase the risk of hypertensive crisis.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with non-selective MAOIs might cause hypertensive crisis. However, this interaction has not been reported with MAO-B selective inhibitors such as selegiline.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Anesthesia

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and anesthesia might increase the risk of arrhythmias.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with cyclopropane or halogenated hydrocarbon anesthesia has led to arrhythmias. Other anesthetics have not been implicated. Use other anesthetics in patients taking cowhage or tell patients to stop taking cowhage at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal research shows that cowhage might have hypoglycemic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antipsychotic Drugs

Theoretically, use of cowhage might decrease the clinical effects of antipsychotic drugs.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa might counteract the antidopaminergic effects of antipsychotic medications.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Guanethidine (Ismelin)

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and guanethidine might increase the risk of hypotension.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with guanethidine might cause additive hypotension; avoid using.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Tricyclic Antidepressants (Tcas)

Theoretically, use of TCAs might reduce the levels and clinical effects of cowhage.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of TCAs might reduce the absorption of levodopa. Some case reports describe patients that developed hypertension and dyskinesia when taking both levodopa and TCAs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Mucuna pruriens extract full monograph & interactions

SAMe2 drug types · 189 drugs

Levodopa

SAMe might reduce the effectiveness of levodopa.
SAMe methylates levodopa, which might reduce its effectiveness for treating Parkinson disease.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Serotonergic Drugs

Taking SAMe with serotonergic drugs might increase the risk of serotonin syndrome and other serotonergic side effects.
SAMe has serotonergic effects. Theoretically, combining serotonergic drugs with SAMe might increase the risk of serotonergic side effects, including serotonin syndrome and cerebral vasoconstrictive disorders. In one case report, SAMe 100 mg intramuscularly was given daily with clomipramine (Anafranil) 25 mg per day. When the clomipramine dose was increased to 75 mg per day the patient experienced serotonin syndrome about 48-72 hours later, requiring hospitalization.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
SAMe full monograph & interactions

L-Tyrosine2 drug types · 21 drugs

Levodopa

Theoretically, tyrosine might decrease the effectiveness of levodopa.
Tyrosine and levodopa compete for absorption in the proximal duodenum by the large neutral amino acid (LNAA) transport system. Advise patients to separate doses of tyrosine and levodopa by at least 2 hours.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Thyroid Hormone

Theoretically, tyrosine might have additive effects with thyroid hormone medications.
Tyrosine is a precursor to thyroxine and might increase levels of thyroid hormones.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
L-Tyrosine full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Neurotransmitter Balance, from the product label.

Douglas Laboratories

See all Douglas Laboratories products
Name
Douglas Laboratories
Street Address
600 Boyce Road
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
ZipCode
15205
Phone Number
1.800.245.4440
Web Address
www.douglaslabs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Neurotransmitter Balance by Douglas Laboratories: Common Questions

Does Neurotransmitter Balance by Douglas Laboratories interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Neurotransmitter Balance has a known interaction with 569 medications, including 17 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Neurotransmitter Balance contains 5 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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.
Is it safe to take this while pregnant?
No — 5-HTP and Mucuna pruriens extract carry safety advice against use in pregnancy. L-Tyrosine and SAMe lack sufficient pregnancy data to know either way. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance; they can weigh any potential benefit against what we know and don't know about these ingredients in pregnancy.
Can I take it while breastfeeding?
Safety data advise against 5-HTP and Mucuna pruriens extract while breastfeeding — Mucuna pruriens can lower prolactin and reduce milk supply. L-Tyrosine and SAMe have insufficient lactation safety data. Discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist to decide what's right for you and your baby.
What side effects might I notice?
The most common are nausea, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, heartburn, and dizziness. These appear dose-dependent and often improve with continued use. Rarer but serious effects — like hallucinations, mania, or aggressive behavior — have been reported with the serotonergic ingredients at higher doses. If you notice unusual mood changes, stop and talk to your doctor.
Will this help my depression?
5-HTP and SAMe are both possibly effective for depression based on the data we hold. That said, 'possibly effective' means evidence exists but is not conclusive — talk to your doctor about whether this product is right for you and how it compares to other options.
Do I need to worry about Venetron?
We have no interaction data on file for Venetron, so we cannot check whether it affects your medications. That doesn't mean it's safe or unsafe — it just means we don't have the information. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if Venetron raises any concerns for your specific situation.

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

Not sure if Neurotransmitter Balance 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.

Neurotransmitter Balance label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Neurotransmitter Balance’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Tyrosine

Interacts with 21 drugs

L-tyrosine is an amino acid your body uses to make brain chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine. Some studies suggest it may help mental performance during short-term stress, sleep loss,...

Read the full Tyrosine monograph → 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 → Herb & supplement monograph

Cowhage

Interacts with 193 drugs

Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens) is a tropical legume best known as a natural source of L-dopa, the compound the body turns into dopamine. It is most studied for Parkinson's disease symptoms and ma...

Read the full Cowhage monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Same

Interacts with 189 drugs

SAM-e is a compound your body makes naturally that is sold as a supplement, most often for depression and osteoarthritis. Some research suggests it may help with these conditions, but the qu...

Read the full Same monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Neurotransmitter Balance'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 79 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.

Tyrosine 4 references
  1. Meyer JS, Welch KM, Deshmukh VD, et al. Neurotransmitter precursor amino acids in the treatment of multi-infarct dementia and Alzheimer's disease. J Amer Geriat Soc 1977;25:289-98.
  2. DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, et al; eds. Pharmacotherapy: A pathophysiologic approach. 4th ed. Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange, 1999.
  3. Wood DR, Reimherr FW, Wender PH. Amino acid precursors for the treatment of attention deficit disorder, residual type. Psychopharmacol Bull 1985;21:146-9.
  4. van Spronsen FJ, van Rijn M, Bekhof J. Phenylketonuria: tyrosine supplementation in phenylalanine-restricted diets. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:153-7. PubMed

See these in context on the Tyrosine monograph →

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.
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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.

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