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    GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA

    Other Names:

    Bandeiraea simplicifolia, Schotia simplicifolia.

    GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Overview
    GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Uses
    GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Side Effects
    GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Interactions
    GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Dosing
    GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Overview Information

    Griffonia simplicifolia is a type of plant found in western parts of Africa. The seeds are used as a medicine because they contain a chemical called 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).

    Griffonia simplicifolia seeds are commonly used by mouth for depression, anxiety, weight loss, headaches, and insomnia. But there is limited scientific research to support these uses.

    How does it work?

    Griffonia simplicifolia contains the chemical 5-HTP. This chemical works in the brain and central nervous system by increasing the production of the chemical serotonin. Serotonin can affect sleep, appetite, pain, and mood. Since 5-HTP increases serotonin, Griffonia simplicifolia is used for some diseases where serotonin is believed to play an important role. These include depression, insomnia, obesity, and other conditions.

    GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Uses & Effectiveness What is this?

    Insufficient Evidence for:

    More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of Griffonia simplicifolia for these uses.

    GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Side Effects & Safety

    Griffonia simplicifolia is POSSIBLY SAFE when taking by mouth for up to 8 weeks. The safety of taking Griffonia simplicifolia long-term is not known. Some people who have taken Griffonia simplicifolia have developed diarrhea and stomach ache. Also, other side effects might depend on how much 5-HTP is in the Griffonia simplicifolia product used. For example, side effects of 5-HTP have included a fast heart rate, skin reactions, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, drowsiness, headache, and muscle problems.

    Special Precautions & Warnings:

    Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking Griffonia simplicifolia if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

    Surgery: 5-HTP, a chemical found in Griffonia simplicifolia, can affect a brain chemical called serotonin. Some drugs administered during surgery can also affect serotonin. Although it is not known if Griffonia simplicifolia can cause these effects, taking 5-HTP before surgery might cause too much serotonin in the brain. This can result in serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety. Stop taking Griffonia simplicifolia at least 2 weeks before surgery.

    GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Interactions What is this?

    Major Interaction Do not take this combination

    • Medications for depression (Antidepressant drugs) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA

      Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP which increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Some medications for depression also increase serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with these medications for depression might increase serotonin too much and cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety. Some of these medications for depression include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Tofranil), and others.

    • Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA

      Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that increases a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Some medications used for depression also increase serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia with these medications used for depression might cause there to be too much serotonin. This could cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.
      Some of these medications used for depression include phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others.


    Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination

    • Carbidopa (Lodosyn) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA

      Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP which can affect the brain. Carbidopa (Lodosyn) can also affect the brain. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with carbidopa might increase the risk of serious side effects including rapid speech, anxiety, aggressiveness, and others.

    • Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, and others) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA

      Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that can affect a brain chemical called serotonin. Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, others) can also affect serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, others) might cause too much serotonin in the brain and can result in serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.

    • Meperidine (Demerol) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA

      Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that increases a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Meperidine (Demerol) can also increase serotonin in the brain. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with meperidine (Demerol) might cause too much serotonin in the brain and serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.

    • Pentazocine (Talwin) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA

      Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Pentazocine (Talwin) also increases serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with pentazocine (Talwin) might increase serotonin too much. This might cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.

    • Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA

      Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.
      Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.

    • Tramadol (Ultram) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA

      Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Tramadol (Ultram) can also increase serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with tramadol (Ultram) might cause too much serotonin in the brain and might result in side effects including confusion, shivering, stiff muscles, and others.


    GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Dosing

    The appropriate dose of Griffonia simplicifolia depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Griffonia simplicifolia. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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    Conditions of Use and Important Information: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

    This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version. © Therapeutic Research Faculty 2009.

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