Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | News | Products | Other

Print options:

Other options:

Tryptophan

Post your experience

Do not take this medicine if you have ever suffered from eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome.
Tryptophan should only be started by a by hospital specialist.
The maximum daily dose is 6 grams.

About tryptophan

Type of medicine	Antidepressant
Used for	Depression that has not got better despite the use of other antidepressant drugs
Also called	L-Tryptophan Optimax
Available as	Tablets

It is thought that depression may be linked to an imbalance of chemicals within the brain. Within the brain there are chemicals which influence mood, an example being serotonin. Serotonin is involved in the control and regulation of mood. Tryptophan is an amino acid that the body needs to make serotonin. Taking tryptophan therefore helps increase the production of serotonin in the brain. Tryptophan should only be started by a hospital specialist. Your GP can then continue to prescribe it for you.

Before taking tryptophan

Before taking tryptophan make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
If you have suffered from a condition called eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome.

How to take tryptophan

Take as directed by your doctor.
The maximum daily dose is 6 grams.

Getting the most from your treatment

Keep your regular appointments with your doctor.

Can tryptophan cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine	What can I do if I experience this
Feeling sick	This usually disappears within 2 or 3 days Take tryptophan after food
Headache	Ask you pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain-killer If headaches continue speak to your doctor
Light-headedness	Avoid tasks which require you to be alert, such as driving or operating machinery
Joint or muscle pain, high temperature, breathlessness, swelling of the feet, ankles or hands, pins and needles, skin sores	Speak to your doctor as these may be signs of eosinophilia myalgia syndrome
Drowsiness	Avoid any tasks which require you to be alert such as driving or operating machinery

How to store tryptophan

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

DocID:
1504

DocRef:
dils3679

Last Updated:
30 Oct 2006

Date of Next Review:
29 Oct 2008

Version:
22

This organsition has been certified as a producer of reliable health and social care information.

Click the image to find out more.

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | News | Products | Other

Print options:

Other options:

Advert

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Related pages in Patient UK

Your Experience (^ top of page)

Please add your experience about this condition / medicine

Patient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)

Latest Health News

View current health news

Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)

Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.
Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Information Leaflets which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Support Groups which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Medicines & Drugs which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of diagrams which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of PatientPlus (detailed reference) articles which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of UK Guidelines which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of other selected websites which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Poems and Stories which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Operations and Procedures which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Online Videos which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links through to our interactive forum.
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to news stories on this subject in our Online Newspaper

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to related products

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to other useful sources of information

Click here to open a printer-friendly version of this document, in a new window, together with the print dialogue box

Click here to open this document in PDF format
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document

Click here to listen to the MP3 audio recording of this document

Click here to download the audio recording of this document as a podcast, for listening to at your leisure

Click here to open our Dictionaries and Glossaries page

Click here to see related products in our Online Pharmacy
Note: this will open in a new window

Click here to add this page to a social bookmarking site of your choice

Click here if you want to find out more about social bookmarking. This link will take you to the Wikipedia explanation
Note: this will open in a new window