Question:
Is 5htp ok to take to replace prozac

my doctor has weaned me off prozac, but i am finding a slight mild depression, I read that 5 htp helps, Would it be ok to take 50 mg twice daily.    — GAIL D. (posted on April 17, 2004)

April 18, 2004
Try St. John's Wort first. This has been used in Europe for years and doctors prescribe it more often than the prozac. It works in a similar fashion as prozac in that it's an SRI. This means it keeps the serotonin circulating in your system. 5HTP works differently in that it can make more of the serotonin available, but it's not an SRI. I think the St. John's is what you're looking for, but if you're taking other prescription meds, check w/ your doc. Be careful w/ 5HTP. The results are much less predictable.
   — mom2jtx3

April 18, 2004
Just a word of warning--St. John's Wort is NOT FDA approved to the best of my knowledge. I've tried being weaned off prozac 2 times in the past 5 years, each time I went back on because I never want to fall into another deep depression.
   — barbara A.

April 18, 2004
Hi, I would recommend that you talk with your doctor if he is taking you off prozac, and why is he if you are still experiencing some depression? I take lexapro, and have been ever since before surgery and after for depression, and it still works wonderfully for me. Alot still do have to be on antidepressants after surgery because our hormones change so much. So, if alls you need to do is adjust the dosage of it then ask your doc to do that or put you on something else if the prozac is not working correctly! Good Luck to you!
   — Melodee S.

April 18, 2004
You should ask your doctor this question...........in most cases, we on this web site are not qualified to give medical advice and anti-depressants are serious stuff!!! You should never go off them without a doctor's supervision........that can be a killer. I went off Zoloft under the supervision of a doctor and switched to 5HTP and did really well but along with that change, I made several supplement changes and several dietary changes. Don't know if it would have worked as well if I had not made the other changes. Please see your doctor again and find out what he has in mind for you since your depression seems to be returning.
   —  SCbabe B.

April 19, 2004
liscenced ND here St johns wort, and 5 htp taken in combination can help many with thier depressin issues, however, its also usefull to supplement with fish oil, for the omega3 fatty acids, they have done several studies involving both st johns owrt , and 5 htp , they are used extensively in other countries. if its "mild" depression as you say, the best thing to start with is just the fish oil, its a fairly common remedy unless you have high blood pressure, if youre taking medications , such as anticoaglulants, you defiantely need to talk to your medical doctor, no matter what additional supplements youre planning on taking and you want to avoid the supplements if your cholesterol is high , or if youre on a medication to reduce your cholesterol, like chloristat barring all those things, you can take 1-2 grams of fish oil quite safely as for the 5htp 5-htp , is used for depression and coincidentally, is often reccomended for people with weight issues its a precursor to "tryptophan", which helps your body with dosages are 50 mg 3 times daily, if that does not help , you can go up to 100 mg , 3x a day best to take on an empty stomach ( incidentally, 5-htp is also reccomended for people who have lupus and fibromyalgia) and is just fine and safe when used with st johns wort St Johns wort, is a herb that grows wild across much of england and asia you will want standardized supplements , for the hypercium levels you will want to start with 100 mg, 1x a day , and after usign that level for one month , then see if you need more, gauging your own feeling,s look in your area for a ND, and see what they think , many have taken an interestin weight loss surgery patients, because of the unique nutritional needs
   — bethlaf

April 19, 2004
please talk to your doctor. There may be lisenced people etc on this website, but if they have not examined you and know your entire medical history they can not appropriately make medication recommendations. And prescribing may not even be with in the scope of their practice. and you don't know online who is who or what. you can be anybody you want to be online and who is to know. IE 50 yo men pretending to be teenage girls to find victems to prey on. PLEASE talk to your doc. They are the best ones to make suggestions to you to make appropriate decisions on your medical care.
   — **willow**