Amitriptyline is a prescription antidepressant, while 5-hydroxytryptophan, or HTP, is an over-the-counter supplement that helps some people with depression. Certain properties of these substances make it inadvisable to combine them. Medline Plus, a website provided by the National Library of Medicine, discourages the use of 5-HTP supplements at all until more research is conducted.
5-HTP for Depression
The body converts the amino acid L-tryptophan to 5-HTP. You can obtain L-tryptophan by eating foods such as meat, seafood, dairy products, eggs and nuts. 5-HTP supplements are made from seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant. Some research indicates that 5-HTP may be about as effective for treating depression as some prescription medications are, according to Medline Plus. 5-HTP works for this disorder by increasing production of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Neurotransmitters and Depression
Both serotonin and the neurotransmitter noradrenaline are involved in mood regulation. When nerve cells in the brain release these chemicals, serotonin and noradrenaline lighten mood, explains NetDoctor. Depression may involve a low release level of serotonin and noradrenaline. The prescription drug amitriptyline works by stopping the nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin and noradrenaline. This increases the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain and helps relieve depression.
Serotonin Syndrome
Taking 5-HTP along with any medication that increases serotonin in the brain, including amitriptyline, could raise serotonin levels to hazardous levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A condition called serotonin syndrome can cause anxiety, agitation, tremors, shivering, mental changes, hot flashes, diarrhea, increased heart rate and a rapidly changing heart rate, a rapidly changing blood pressure rate and coma.
Other Negative Effects
Both amitriptyline and 5-HTP have other potentially serious side effects to consider before using either of them. Some people age 24 and under have developed suicidal thoughts and behavior after taking amitriptyline. This is also a risk for adults older than age 24, particularly at the beginning of treatment and whenever the dosage is changed. Patients taking prescription antidepressants may experience extreme worry, agitation, impulsive behavior, aggressive behavior, panic attacks and insomnia. With 5-HTP supplements, some individuals have developed a serious disorder known as eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, which involves severe muscle tenderness and blood abnormalities. It is not known if 5-HTP or a contaminant caused the disorder, or if some other factor was involved, according to Medline Plus.
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