Alti-Tryptophan
Alti-Tryptophan - General Information
An essential amino acid that is necessary for normal growth in infants and for nitrogen balance in adults. It is a precursor of indole alkaloids in plants. It is a precursor of serotonin (hence its use as an antidepressant and sleep aid). It can be a precursor to niacin, albeit inefficiently, in mammals.
Pharmacology of Alti-Tryptophan
Tryptophan is critical for the production of the body's proteins, enzymes and muscle tissue. It is also essential for the production of niacin, the synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin and melatonin. Tryptophan supplements can be used as natural relaxants to help relieve insomnia. Tryptophan can also reduce anxiety and depression and has been shown to reduce the intensity of migraine headaches. Other promising indications include the relief of chronic pain, reduction of impulsivity or mania and the treatment of obsessive or compulsive disorders. Tryptophan also appears to help the immune system and can reduce the risk of cardiac spasms. Tryptophan deficiencies may lead to coronary artery spasms. Tryptophan is used as an essential nutrient in infant formulas and intravenous feeding. Tryptophan is marketed as a prescription drug (Tryptan) for those who do not seem to respond well to conventional antidepressants. It may also be used to treat those afflicted with seasonal affective disorder (a winter-onset depression). Tryptopan serves as the precursor for the synthesis of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine).
Alti-Tryptophan for patients
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, to allow dosage adjustments and help reduce any side effects.
This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.
This medicine may cause dryness of the mouth. Using sugarless candy or gum, ice, or a saliva substitute may be helpful. Check with your physician or dentist if dry mouth continues for more than 2 weeks.
Avoid excessive exposure to ultraviolet light to reduce the chance of cataract formation.
Alti-Tryptophan Interactions
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (e.g., Marplan), phenelzine (e.g., Nardil), procarbazine (e.g., Matulane), selegiline (e.g., Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (e.g., Parnate): Using these medicines with L-tryptophan may increase the chance of side effects.
Alti-Tryptophan Contraindications
• Achlohydria or malabsorption (digestion problems) - L-tryptophan may cause breathing problems in patients with certain types of digestion problems.
• Bladder cancer - L-tryptophan may increase the risk of bladder cancer.
• Cataracts - L-tryptophan may cause cataracts.
• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) - L-tryptophan may cause diabetes in patients with a family history of diabetes.
Additional information about Alti-Tryptophan
Alti-Tryptophan Indication: Tryptophan may be useful in increasing serotonin production, promoting healthy sleep, managing depression by enhancing mental and emotional well-being, managing pain tolerance, and managing weight.
Mechanism Of Action: A number of important side reactions occur during the catabolism of tryptophan on the pathway to acetoacetate. The first enzyme of the catabolic pathway is an iron porphyrin oxygenase that opens the indole ring. The latter enzyme is highly inducible, its concentration rising almost 10-fold on a diet high in tryptophan. Kynurenine is the first key branch point intermediate in the pathway. Kynurenine undergoes deamniation in a standard transamination reaction yielding kynurenic acid. Kynurenic acid and metabolites have been shown to act as antiexcitotoxics and anticonvulsives. A second side branch reaction produces anthranilic acid plus alanine. Another equivalent of alanine is produced further along the main catabolic pathway, and it is the production of these alanine residues that allows tryptophan to be classified among the glucogenic and ketogenic amino acids. The second important branch point converts kynurenine into 2-amino-3-carboxymuconic semialdehyde, which has two fates. The main flow of carbon elements from this intermediate is to glutarate. An important side reaction in liver is a transamination and several rearrangements to produce limited amounts of nicotinic acid, which leads to production of a small amount of NAD+ and NADP+.
Drug Interactions: Not Available
Food Interactions: Not Available
Generic Name: L-Tryptophan
Synonyms: (-)-Tryptophan; L-(-)-Tryptophan; L-Tryptophane; Tryptophan; Tryptophane; alpha-Amino-beta-(3-indolyl)-propionic acid; l-a-Aminoindole-3-propionic acid; l-b-3-Indolylalanine; (S)-a-Amino-1H-indole-3-propanoic acid; (S)-a-Amino-b-indolepropionic acid; (S)-a-Aminoindole-3-propionic acid; (S)-Tryptophan; 2-Amino-3-indolylpropanoic acid; 3-Indol-3-ylalanine
Drug Category: Dietary supplement; Micronutrient; Essential Amino Acids; Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Nutraceutical; Approved
Other Brand Names containing L-Tryptophan: Alti-Tryptophan; Lyphan;
Absorption: Not Available
Toxicity (Overdose): Oral rat LD50: > 16 gm/kg. Investigated as a tumorigen, mutagen, reproductive effector. Symptoms of overdose include agitation, confusion, diarrhea, fever, overactive reflexes, poor coordination, restlessness, shivering, sweating, talking or acting with excitement you cannot control, trembling or shaking, twitching, and vomiting.
Protein Binding: Not Available
Biotransformation: Hepatic.
Half Life: Not Available
Dosage Forms of Alti-Tryptophan: Tablet Oral
Capsule Oral
Chemical IUPAC Name: (2S)-2-amino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid
Chemical Formula: C11H12N2O2
L-Tryptophan on Wikipedia: Not Available
Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals
