L-tryptophan

Contraindications

Hypersensivity

Cautions

Bladder cancer

Diabetes mellitus

Achlorhydria/malabsorption

Cataract formation

Some bipolar pts are acutely sensitive & would not tolerate dosage >1-2 g/d

Clinical worsening & suicide ideation may occur despite medication

When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.

If you choose to use L-tryptophan, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with L-tryptophan does not improve, or if it gets worse while using this product.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Consult your pharmacist.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Missed Dose

Consult your pharmacist.

Storage

Consult your pharmacist.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised July 2016. Copyright(c) 2016 First Databank, Inc.

Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra tryptophan to make up the missed dose.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Although not all side effects are known, tryptophan is thought to be possibly unsafe. Be sure to use this product only if you have obtained it from a safe and reputable source.

In 1989, a life-threatening condition called eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) occurred in many people using tryptophan and some died from the condition. All of these people had taken tryptophan distributed by a company in Japan. This product was found to contain trace levels of impure ingredients. Since that time, the FDA has limited the availability of tryptophan in the U.S. However, the increased use of the Internet has made many dietary supplements available from non-U.S. sources.

Although there have been no published cases of EMS within the last several years, you should be aware of the symptoms. Stop using tryptophan and seek emergency medical help if you have signs of EMS:

• unusual tiredness;

• severe muscle pain (most often in the shoulders, back, or legs);

• weakness, numbness, tingling, or burning pain (especially at night);

• tremors or twitching muscle movements;

• swelling in any part of your body;

• skin changes (dryness, yellowing, hardening, rash, hair loss);

• breathing difficulty; or

• uneven heartbeat.

Common side effects may include:

• feeling drowsy or light-headed;

• dry mouth, heartburn, burping, gas;

• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

• weakness, lack of coordination;

• blurred vision;

• headache; or

• sexual problems.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Taking tryptophan with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking this medicine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Do not take tryptophan without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

• tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet);

• a cough medicine that contains dextromethorphan (Delsym, Robitussin DM, and others);

• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others;

• medicine to treat mental illness such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others;

• a narcotic medicine such as meperidine (Demerol) or pentazocine (Talwin); or

• a sedative such as diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with tryptophan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide.