5 HTP for Depression

[birdonawire]

I have been slowly weaning off Prozac and I am now taking about 20mg per day. Does anyone know if I can take a small amount of 5htp while I am still on Prozac? Thanks.

[trekster22]

If prozac works by increasing serotonin then no as you could develop serotonin syndrome.

[Photogeek]

Can't help here as never heard of 5 HTP

I would be very careful taking anything that's not been prescribed for you.

Hannah

[JuneRose]

5 HTP is good once off meds cannot take with meds for blood pressure check with your GP or on line Prozac is not easy to get off and will take time really not a good idea to take both good idea to take a good idea to take a good bit B complex be prepared for set backs and give yourself 3 months months with the summer coming you will find it helps.

[janey61 in reply to JuneRose]

Hi , didn't know you couldn't take 5htp with b.p meds shame I was hoping to wean of meds and use this eventually ..

[birdonawire in reply to janey61]

You have to be careful if you do this - I think you can get sick if you take too much 5htp with meds.

[sinine]

I've come off SSRI's to start using 5-HTP. You should wean yourself off lowering the dosage gradually. About 10-14 days after taking last Prozac you can start using 5-HTP.

I recommend taking it in the evening app. 30 min. before bed time.

I've now been on 5-HTP and N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine‎ since January and the only thing I regret is that I didn't know about these alternatives earlier.

It would have saved me years of misery because most SSRI's make me suicidal.

Besides, 5-HTP is not medicine, it's natural. It does not have harsh side effects like meds.

It's recommended for a couple of months but I know people who have been on it for years. If your brain lacks something then why not help it?

If you get stomach cramps, diarrhea and very shaky and sweaty, then lower the dosage. 100 mg works fine for me but again, some people only take 20 mg. It's individual. Of course the best thing would be to measure your levels but I've yet to see a doc who'd do such thing.

[birdonawire in reply to sinine]

Thanks Sinine. 5-HTP helps me and I occasionally take 25-50 mg at night. The problem is, I can't totally go off Prozac yet because I get bad withdrawal. I wish there was a way to take a small amount of 5htp until I am totally off Prozac. Thanks for the feedback

PS. SSRIs don't work for me either

[sinine in reply to birdonawire]

Hi birdonawire. I know exactly what you mean with bad withdrawal. I've been there, a few times actually. It's a decision you must make yourself.

I've come off meds gradually but a few times I simply just quit meds straight from full dosage. Honestly, I did see little difference. Maybe it was nastier the first days but the rest was still the same.

The first 5-7 days were always really bad, the nasty feeling then subsided within a week or so.

It's also best not to consume alcohol during withdrawal and/or on alternative therapy (supplements).

[kinikia95]

I don't know but that's a quick question that you can call your dr office with that should be an easy reply for them. Maybe make it easy on yourself and put in a call to ask.

PS, I wish SSRIs worked for me, I know they are great for many, but they are extremely counter productive for me. I wish you good luck.