Tryptophan

Depression

8-12 g/d PO divided QID/TID

Lower dosage effective in combination with other antidepressants

Administration

Take with low-protein, carbohydrate-rich meals or snacks

Safety and efficacy not established

Tryptophan may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Aminess 5.2

• Aminosyn 10%, Sulfite-Free

• Aminosyn 3.5 % M, Sulfite Free

• Aminosyn 3.5%, Sulfite-Free

• Aminosyn 5%, Sulfite-Free

• Aminosyn 7 % with Electrolytes, Sulfite-Free

• Aminosyn 7%, Sulfite-Free

• Aminosyn 8.5 % with Electrolytes, Sulfite-Free

• Aminosyn 8.5%, Sulfite-Free

• Aminosyn II 10 %

• Aminosyn II 15%

• Aminosyn II 3.5 % in 25 % Dextrose

• Aminosyn II 3.5 % M in 5 % Dextrose

• Aminosyn II 3.5 % with Electrolytes in 25 % Dextrose with Calcium

• Aminosyn II 3.5% in 5% Dextrose

• Aminosyn II 4.25 % with Electrolytes in 25 % Dextrose with Calcium

• Aminosyn II 4.25% in 10% Dextrose

• Aminosyn II 4.25% in 20% Dextrose

• Aminosyn II 4.25/25

• Aminosyn II 5% in 25% Dextrose

• Aminosyn II 7 %, Sulfite-Free

• Aminosyn II 8.5 % with Electrolytes, Sulfite-Free

• Aminosyn II 8.5 %, Sulfite-Free

• Aminosyn-HBC 7 %, Sulfite-Free

• Aminosyn-HF 8 %

• Aminosyn-PF 10 %, Sulfite-Free

• Aminosyn-PF 7%

• Aminosyn-RF 5.2 %, Sulfite-Free

• Clinimix 2.75/5

• Clinimix 4.25/10

• Clinimix 4.25/20

• Clinimix 4.25/25

• Clinimix 4.25/5

• Clinimix 5/15

• Clinimix 5/20

• Clinimix 5/25

• Clinimix E 2.75/10

• Clinimix E 2.75/5

• Clinimix E 4.25/10

• Clinimix E 4.25/25

• Clinimix E 4.25/5

• Clinimix E 5/15

• Clinimix E 5/20

• Clinimix E 5/25

• Clinimix E 5/35

• Clinisol 15

• FreAmine 6.9

• Freamine III 10

• Freamine III 8.5

• Hepatamine 8

• Hepatasol

• Hepatasol 8

• Nephramine

• Novamine 15%

• PremaSol

• ProcalAmine 3

• Prosol

• Renamin 6.5

• Restone

• Somnicin

• Travasol 10%

• Travasol 2.75

• Travasol 2.75/5

• Travasol 3.5

• Travasol 4.25/10

• Travasol 4.25/25

• Travasol 4.25/5

• Travasol 5.5 % in Dextrose

• Travasol 8.5 Electrolytes

• Trophamine

• Trophamine 10 %

• Trophamine 6 %

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• FLUOXETINE/TRYPTOPHAN
• ISOCARBOXAZID/TRYPTOPHAN
• PHENELZINE/TRYPTOPHAN
• SELEGILINE/TRYPTOPHAN
• SIBUTRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE/TRYPTOPHAN
• SODIUM OXYBATE/TRYPTOPHAN
• TRANYLCYPROMINE/TRYPTOPHAN

This is not a complete list of Tryptophandrug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tryptophan is available in the following forms:

• Injectable Solution
• Oral Capsule
• Oral Tablet

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, L-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 L-tryptophan and some died from the condition. All of these people had taken L-tryptophan distributed by a company in Japan. This L-tryptophan was found to contain trace levels of impure ingredients. Since that time, the FDA has limited the availability of L-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 L-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.

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, to allow dosage adjustments and help reduce any side effects.

tryptophan may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to tryptophan before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.

tryptophan may cause dryness of the mouth. Using sugarless candy or gum, ice, or a saliva substitute may be helpful. Check with your physician or dentist if dry mouth continues for more than 2 weeks.

Avoid excessive exposure to ultraviolet light to reduce the chance of cataract formation.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

• Agitation
• confusion
• diarrhea
• fever
• overactive reflexes
• poor coordination
• restlessness
• shivering
• sweating
• talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
• trembling or shaking
• twitching
• vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.