Dosage Of 5-htp For Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal condition causing widespread pain, stiffness and fatigue that's most common among women ages 20 to 50. The supplement 5-HTP is sometimes recommended to help fibromyalgia patients fight back against this sometimes-debilitating disorder that can be hard to treat. Although 5-HTP isn't a cure, it may be able to help lessen the severity of symptoms and improve overall quality of life.

Identification

The name 5-HTP stands for 5-hydroxytryptophan, a chemical your body manufactures from the amino acid tryptophan. The chemical isn't present in foods and is obtained from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia for use in supplements, although it can also be synthesized in the lab. Five-HTP supplements raise levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which in turns helps regular mood, appetite, pain sensation and sleep.

Expert Insight

Only a handful of studies have investigated the effects of 5-HTP on fibromyalgia, but results are promising. In 1990, a double-blind study published in "The Journal of International Medical Research" found that fibromyalgia patients taking 5-HTP had significant decreases in the number of tender points and the amount of pain, as well improvements in sleep patterns, morning stiffness, anxiety and fatigue. A follow-up study in 1992 published in the same journal found nearly 50 percent of patients given 5-HTP had at least a good or fair clinical improvement during a 90-day treatment period. In a study published in the Alternative Medicine Review in 1998, researchers reported that supplementation with 5-HTP improved symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and fibromyalgia pains.

Recommended Dosage

The 1990 study in "The Journal of International Medical Research" gave fibromyalgia patients 300 mg of 5-HTP for 30 days. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends 50 mg of 5-HTP taken one to three times per day for adults. Author and physician Dr. Ray Sahelian points out that most 5-HTP supplements are sold in 50 and 100 mg capsules, and that while some people do well with 20 to 50 mg daily, others may need 100 mg or more.

Considerations

There have been rare reports of eosinophilic myalgia syndrome, a potentially fatal disorder that affects the skin, blood, muscles, and organs, in people taking 5-HTP. More common effects are milder and include gastrointestinal discomfort, nightmares and decreased sex drive. Do not take 5-HTP is you have liver disease or are pregnant or nursing. If you plan to take 5-HTP during the day, avoid taking more than 25 mg since it could cause sleepiness, and take it on an empty stomach to maximize absorption.