Double-blind study of 5-hydroxytryptophan versus placebo in the treatment of primary fibromyalgia syndrome

Caruso I, Sarzi Puttini P, Cazzola M, Azzolini V

Published in Journal of International Medical Research

Methodology

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 5-HTP 100 mg three times daily over 30 days in primary fibromyalgia.

Key Findings

Patients receiving 5-HTP showed significant improvement versus placebo in number of tender points, anxiety, pain intensity, sleep quality and fatigue. Side effects were mild and transient.

Conclusions

5-HTP produced short-term symptomatic improvement in primary fibromyalgia in a small early trial.

Limitations

Very small single-centre sample, 30-day duration, subjective outcomes, 1990 methodology with limited allocation-concealment reporting, and no independent replication.