I know allot of us have more then one health issues and allot of people use things like 5-htp without problems along with other products that are non prescription.

Lately been finding articles with precautions that I think are at least worth checking out and being careful to check these precautions prior to using them. Not saying they are bad just we need to be careful as individuals knowing our own health issues.

Listing a few of the things have ran across .... along with the website so can read the full article if interested... just listing excerpts on the precautions stated.

http://www.advance-health.com/5htp.html

5 HTP Precautions & Side Effects
5 HTP is available without prescription and is generally considered safe and may be beneficial for many individuals. Contraindications to 5 HTP use or conditions under which 5 HTP use should only be under the supervision of a physician are conditions in which increased serotonin levels may be harmful. This list is generic and does not represent a contraindication for all individuals. Obtaining professional advice is advised, especially if prescription medications are also being used.

1.Cardiovascular Diseases (high blood pressure, post-stroke, post-heart attack)
2.Extremely Elderly Persons
3.those with Parkinsons Disease, Cancer or Autoimmune Diseases (Scleroderma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus)
4.Lung Diseases
5.Chronic Alcoholism
6.Liver diseases (hepatitis or cirrhosis)
7.Parasitic Infection
8.AIDS
9.Anorexia Nervosa
10.Low protein Diets
11.Allergies (severe)
12.Myalgia (persistent pain and weakness of the muscles)
13.Peripheral Neuropathy (pain weakness of the muscles)
14.Rash or Flushing
15.Edema
16.Nausea
17.Diarrhea
18.Sickle cell anemia
19.Hemophilia
20.Pregnancy
Concurrent drug use: 5 HTP should not be used if taking:
1.Anti-depressant drugs
2.Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
3.Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's e.g., Prozac)
4.Tricyclic medications
5.Weight Loss medications (i.e., dextenfluramine)
6.Anti-parkinson medications (e.g., L-dopa)
7.Barbiturates and other tranquilizing drugs
8.Antihistamines and cold medications
9.Alcoholic beverages
10.Intravenous (illegal I.V.) drugs
11.Cancer Chemotherapy
12.Antibiotic Medications
The principal reason for not combining 5-htp with these classes of medications is that many of them may also increase serotonin levels or affect other neurotransmitters, but by different biochemical mechanisms. The combination, in some cases, has the potential of acting synergistically to dramatically increase serotonin levels. This combined action could have adverse effects.

While tryptophan is less potent than 5htp, it may also be safer to use. Its effectiveness is enhanced by the inclusion of synergestic factors including lysine, niacin and synergistic herbal extracts.

Alcohol and 5-HTP should not be taken together. Allow at least six hours between use of alcohol and 5 HTP.

Warning: 5 HTP can increase the effect of some tranquilizing drugs.




http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-794-5-HTP.aspx?activeIngredientId=794&activeIngredientName=5-HTP

Major Interaction Do not take this combinationMedications for depression (Antidepressant drugs) interacts with 5-HTP

5-HTP increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Some medications for depression also increase serotonin. Taking 5-HTP along with these medications for depression might increase serotonin too much and cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety. Do not take 5-HTP if you are taking medications for depression.

Some of these medications for depression include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Tofranil), and others.

Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with 5-HTP

5-HTP increases a chemical in the brain. This chemical is called serotonin. Some medications used for depression also increase serotonin. Taking 5-HTP with these medications used for depression might cause there to be too much serotonin. This could cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.

Some of these medications used for depression include phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others.



Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combinationCarbidopa (Lodosyn) interacts with 5-HTP

5-HTP can affect the brain. Carbidopa (Lodosyn) can also affect the brain. Taking 5-HTP along with carbidopa can increase the risk of serious side effects including rapid speech, anxiety, aggressiveness, and others.

Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, and others) interacts with 5-HTP

5-HTP can affect a brain chemical called serotonin. Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, others) can also affect serotonin. Taking 5-HTP along with dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, others) might cause too much serotonin in the brain and serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety. Do not take 5-HTP if you are taking dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, and others).

Meperidine (Demerol) interacts with 5-HTP

5-HTP increases a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Meperidine (Demerol) can also increase serotonin in the brain. Taking 5-HTP along with meperidine (Demerol) might cause too much serotonin in the brain and serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.

Pentazocine (Talwin) interacts with 5-HTP

5-HTP increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Pentazocine (Talwin) also increases serotonin. Taking 5-HTP along with pentazocine (Talwin) might increase serotonin too much. This could cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety. Do not take 5-HTP if you are taking pentazocine (Talwin).

Tramadol (Ultram) interacts with 5-HTP

Tramadol (Ultram) can affect a chemical in the brain called serotonin. 5-HTP can also affect serotonin. Taking 5-HTP along with tramadol (Ultram) might cause too much serotonin in the brain and side effects including confusion, shivering, stiff muscles, and others.

The appropriate dose of 5-HTP depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for 5-HTP. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-Hydroxytryptophan

Possible risks or side effects

Because 5-HTP has not been thoroughly studied in a clinical setting, possible side effects and interactions with other drugs are not well known.

Administered serotonin has been shown to increase the risk of heart valve disease in animals.[19][20] 5-HTP has not been subjected to this test. Oral 5-HTP results in an increase in urinary 5-HIAA, a serotonin metabolite, indicating that 5-HTP is peripherally metabolized to serotonin, which is then metabolized. This might cause a false positive test in tests looking for carcinoid syndrome.[21]

5-HTP can cause hypertension by increasing plasma renin activity, when not co-administered with a peripheral aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor, such as carbidopa or benserazide.[22]

Direct and indirect evidence for possible yet unproven risks and side effects associated with 5-HTP when overdosed:

Heart valve damage or disease (cardiac fibrosis).[19][20]
When combined with MAOIs or SSRIs, 5-HTP can cause acute serotonin syndrome.[23][24]
When combined with carbidopa (as a treatment for symptoms of Parkinson's disease), 5-HTP causes nausea and vomiting; however this can be alleviated via administration of granisetron.[25] As mentioned above under pharmacology, cases of scleroderma-like illness have been reported in patients using carbidopa and 5-HTP.[26]
It has been suggested that 5-HTP may cause eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS), a serious condition which results in extreme muscle tenderness, myalgia, and blood abnormalities. However, there is evidence to show that EMS was caused by a contaminant in early 5-htp supplements, before the introduction of the current Good Manufacturing Practices by the United States FDA in 2007. Many countries now employ similar regulation..[27]


Again not saying this is a bad or good product just want us to keep safe by knowing possible issues that could be a problem 4 some individuals verses others.


Take care always
gentle hugs to all