Tryptophan, according to the United States National Institute of Health, is an amino acid you must get intact rather than through body production. The human body doesn't produce tryptophan, but it needs it to produce serotonin and niacin. It can be found in a variety of foods such as the most commonly known, turkey. It also may be found in cheese, tofu, peanuts, fish, eggs, chicken, soy and sesame seeds, among others. Aside from dietary uses, tryptophan also may be prescribed for depression and, with lithium, for bipolar disorder as the brand-name drug Aminomine.
Gastrointestinal
The use of tryptophan in supplements or as an antidepressant may cause some minor and temporary side effects in your gastrointestinal system. The first of these is dry mouth. It is an uncomfortable feeling and may make it temporarily difficult to swallow. Tryptophan also may cause nausea or queasiness in the stomach. This effect can make you feel like you need to vomit, even if you don't. It can be treated with over-the-counter drugs such as Emetrol, an antiemetic that contains phosphoric acid and two types of sugars, fructose and glucose. Consult your physician before you take this type of antiemetic if you have diabetes. Because of the nausea or apart from it, you also may experience a decrease in your appetite from taking tryptophan. Any of these gastrointestinal side effects should disappear as you continue to take tryptophan, but you should call your doctor if they don't.
Physiological
Tryptophan also may cause some other temporary side effects when you begin using it. These, too, are not serious unless they continue past the initial use of it. These types of side effects include headaches and dizziness. They also include the most commonly known side effect of tryptophan, which is drowsiness. Tell your physician if you experience any of these that annoy you. There may be some remedies for them.
Overdose
The only serious side effects from tryptophan use as a drug or supplement have been reported by people who take too much, according to the Mayo Clinic. Emergency medical treatment should be sought for any of these. They include vomiting, agitation, twitching, confusion, shaking, diarrhea, trembling or fever. Others may include reflexes that are overactive, uncontrollable excitement in actions or talk, lack of coordination, sweating, restlessness and shivering.
Member Comments