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Is 5-HTP Good, Effective And Safe To Take For Severe

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Posted on Fri, 10 May 2019
Question: Is 5-HTP good, effective and safe to take for severe anxiety? Some dizziness at times
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
5-HTP is not part of standard treatments for anxiety, safer and more effective treatments are available

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome at "Ask a Doctor" service,

I carefully went through your query and here is my advice:
Use of 5-HTP for treatment of anxiety is quite controversial mostly because it has not shown to be very effective in treatment of anxiety, especially if taken alone. In some cases it is found to even make anxiety worse.

I would recommend you to discuss with your doctor and try alternatives for anxiety treatment that are safer and more effective. A SSRI drug like citalopram or sertraline would be a good alternative, quite safe in most patients and have better effect on anxiety.

I hope this answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General & Family Physician

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4435 Questions

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Is 5-HTP Good, Effective And Safe To Take For Severe

Brief Answer: 5-HTP is not part of standard treatments for anxiety, safer and more effective treatments are available Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome at "Ask a Doctor" service, I carefully went through your query and here is my advice: Use of 5-HTP for treatment of anxiety is quite controversial mostly because it has not shown to be very effective in treatment of anxiety, especially if taken alone. In some cases it is found to even make anxiety worse. I would recommend you to discuss with your doctor and try alternatives for anxiety treatment that are safer and more effective. A SSRI drug like citalopram or sertraline would be a good alternative, quite safe in most patients and have better effect on anxiety. I hope this answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General & Family Physician