Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 76888

Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

L-Tryptophan

Posted by SalArmy4me on August 29, 2001, at 19:53:07

Is anyone taking that for anything? I just added 2 g of it to augment Moclobemide.

 

Re: L-Tryptophan » SalArmy4me

Posted by Cam W. on August 29, 2001, at 20:08:38

In reply to L-Tryptophan, posted by SalArmy4me on August 29, 2001, at 19:53:07

Sal - I'm not sure that it is wise to add tryptophan (Tryptan™) to Manerix™ (moclobemide). I have seen a moderate serotonin syndrom-like interaction when 500mg of tryptophan 300mg (daily dose) of Manerix. The tryptophan was added for to help the gentleman sleep, but when taken together, he said his heart began to race, he was sweating profusely, and he felt like he was drunk (ie. no coordination). He was also edgy and startled easily.

If you don't believe me, ask Elizabeth or Sunnely.

Be careful with this combo. - Cam

 

Re: L-Tryptophan » Cam W.

Posted by SalArmy4me on August 30, 2001, at 1:30:46

In reply to Re: L-Tryptophan » SalArmy4me, posted by Cam W. on August 29, 2001, at 20:08:38

That's a good point. Thanks.

 

Re: L-Tryptophan

Posted by PaulB on August 31, 2001, at 15:37:22

In reply to Re: L-Tryptophan » Cam W., posted by SalArmy4me on August 30, 2001, at 1:30:46

> That's a good point. Thanks.

I agree you have to be careful. I think some people may be more prone to the serotonin syndrome based on genetic differences. The most common response to an increase in serotonin is for the brain to shut down receptors, and with antidepressants a two-three week time lag before it begins working. From what Ive read the combination of L-Tryptophan and a MAOI(or any antidepressant)work significantly better than either agent alone.

The usual dosage of L-Tyryptopahn when used as monotherapy is 2-6 grams.

 

Re: L-Tryptophan » PaulB

Posted by SalArmy4me on August 31, 2001, at 15:51:33

In reply to Re: L-Tryptophan, posted by PaulB on August 31, 2001, at 15:37:22

Thanks for your input.

I don't think anyone can afford to consume 2-6 grams daily of l-tryptophan, and most references say that 4 grams is the max. I've settled on 2 grams/day as an augmentation agent. Its very tolerable... I got it without a prescription at Bios Chemicals: http://www.biochemicals.com/

 

Re: L-Tryptophan » Cam W.

Posted by Adam on August 31, 2001, at 16:10:19

In reply to Re: L-Tryptophan » SalArmy4me, posted by Cam W. on August 29, 2001, at 20:08:38

I read alot about this stuff a year or so ago. I certainly agree that caution is warranted, but I would like to add that some people have been reported to have developed "serotonin syndrome" taking L-tryptophan alone. Others have used L-tryptophan safely as an augmentation to MAOIs and SSRIs. Some may choose to avoid any combination of L-tryptophan and a serotonergic drug, since the risk for s. s. is always enhanced. Others may choose to try it, with careful management, and derive some benefits.

A good (cautionary) page on the subject of serotonin syndrome is here:

http://www.uspharmacist.com/NewLook/DisplayArticle.cfm?item_num=94

> Sal - I'm not sure that it is wise to add tryptophan (Tryptan™) to Manerix™ (moclobemide). I have seen a moderate serotonin syndrom-like interaction when 500mg of tryptophan 300mg (daily dose) of Manerix. The tryptophan was added for to help the gentleman sleep, but when taken together, he said his heart began to race, he was sweating profusely, and he felt like he was drunk (ie. no coordination). He was also edgy and startled easily.
>
> If you don't believe me, ask Elizabeth or Sunnely.
>
> Be careful with this combo. - Cam

 

Re: L-Tryptophan

Posted by Sunnely on August 31, 2001, at 19:36:30

In reply to Re: L-Tryptophan » SalArmy4me, posted by Cam W. on August 29, 2001, at 20:08:38

> Sal - I'm not sure that it is wise to add tryptophan (Tryptan™) to Manerix™ (moclobemide). I have seen a moderate serotonin syndrom-like interaction when 500mg of tryptophan 300mg (daily dose) of Manerix. The tryptophan was added for to help the gentleman sleep, but when taken together, he said his heart began to race, he was sweating profusely, and he felt like he was drunk (ie. no coordination). He was also edgy and startled easily.
>
> If you don't believe me, ask Elizabeth or Sunnely.
>
> Be careful with this combo. - Cam

Indeed, be careful as there is potential for serotonin syndrome with this combination.

On a related note, not sure if this remains a concern, the condition called EMS (eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome) with the use of tryptophan. About a decade ago, the US CDC noted 1500 reported cases of EMS-including 24 fatalities-and estimated that the total number of cases may be as high as 10,000. The condition is characterized by myalgia (muscle aches/pains), the predominant symptom, accompanied by muscle weakness, rash, abdominal pain, respiratory distress. The most striking laboratory abnormality was peripheral blood eosinophilia.

It was believed that the cause was due to a specific impurity in lots of L-tryptophan made by a single Japanese manufacturer. According to CDC, almost all EMS victims had taken tryptophan produced by Showa Denko, a Japanese chemical and pharmaceutical company. It appeared that the manufacturer had introduced a new strain of the bacillus used in the production of amino acid, and it appears that the impurity is a fermentation product of this bacillus.

 

Re: L-Tryptophan

Posted by Andre Allard on September 1, 2001, at 0:23:35

In reply to L-Tryptophan, posted by SalArmy4me on August 29, 2001, at 19:53:07

If your pdoc prescribed this combo to you then ask them if they studied at the med school called "RETARDS" or at the University of "HOW TO KILL YOUR PATIENT". If you would like to experience serotonin syndrome then consume all the L-tryptophan you want but if you would like to stay healthy or alive for that matter then make a change in augmentation.

Good luck!

 

Re: L-Tryptophan

Posted by djmmm on September 2, 2001, at 9:22:49

In reply to L-Tryptophan, posted by SalArmy4me on August 29, 2001, at 19:53:07

I have been using L-tryptophan (as part of an amino acid supplement regimen) for over a year, and I take Nardil...I have had no problems....Have you considerd using 5-HTP inplace of the l-tryptophan? 5-htp (as you well know) is further in the metabolic process towards Serotonin, and readily crosses the blood brain barrier. I use L-tryptophan simply because it is combined with a few other amino acids...

 

Re: L-Tryptophan » djmmm

Posted by SalArmy4me on September 2, 2001, at 14:42:25

In reply to Re: L-Tryptophan, posted by djmmm on September 2, 2001, at 9:22:49

That's a good idea. But I heard that l-tryptophan has less side-effects than 5-HTP.


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