NOW Foods 5-HTP 100mg 90 Chewables

What it is

NOW Foods Chewable 5-HTP 100 mg is a dietary supplement supplying 100 mg of 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) in each chewable tablet, sold in a bottle of 90 chewables with a natural citrus flavor. 5-HTP is a compound the body forms from the amino acid tryptophan, and the 5-HTP here is extracted from the seed of Griffonia simplicifolia, described on the bottle as an African plant. The front marks the product Vegetarian/Vegan, and the panel carries NOW's "Amino Acids" shelf heading along with the line "Family owned since 1968."

The format is the thing to notice. A chewable tablet is chewed before swallowing rather than taken whole with water, which is why this bottle reads "90 Chewables". It is listed in our supplements range.

What's inside

One chewable tablet carries a single declared active: 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) at 100 mg, sourced from Griffonia simplicifolia Extract (Seed). The panel marks that figure with an asterisk and explains it underneath as "Daily Value not established" — meaning no official daily reference amount has been set for this compound, not that the amount is approximate. The FDA's page on structure/function claims explains why supplement labels carry that asterisk, and NIH ODS background on botanical supplements covers plant-extract ingredients generally.

A chewable has to hold its shape, carry a flavor and survive being chewed, which is why the "Other ingredients" line here runs to nine items. They are worth reading individually:

• Xylitol and Sorbitol — sugar alcohols, commonly used in chewables as sweeteners and bulking agents. Xylitol is the reason this bottle carries a pet warning; see "Good to know" below.
• Microcrystalline Cellulose and Hydroxypropyl Cellulose — plant-derived cellulose ingredients that bulk and bind a tablet.
• Natural Flavors and Citric Acid — the citrus character named on the front of the bottle. Citric acid is a common acidulant in citrus-flavored products.
• Stearic Acid (vegetable source) and Silicon Dioxide — commonly used as tableting aids, helping powder flow evenly and keeping it from sticking during pressing.
• Annatto Seed Extract — a colorant drawn from annatto (achiote) seed rather than a synthetic dye.

Those nine are the complete printed list. Nothing else is declared on the panel.

Supplement Facts

The panel does not print a servings line. At the stated serving of one tablet, 90 tablets work out to 90 servings, but that is arithmetic from the two printed figures rather than a number NOW prints.

How to use it

The printed Suggested Usage is: "Take 1 chewable tablet daily, preferably on an empty stomach at bedtime." That is the whole of the manufacturer's instruction — the label sets no second daily serving and names no alternative timing. The separate caution adds one qualifier: take with food in case of GI upset.

For storage the panel says to store in a cool, dry place after opening. The label also notes that natural color variation may occur in this product, which is unsurprising where a colorant comes from a seed rather than a synthetic source.

Who it's for

This is a product for adults aged 18 and over who want 5-HTP in a chewable rather than a swallowed form. The chewable format is the practical reason to pick it: no water is needed, which is convenient given the bedtime timing the label specifies, and it suits anyone who would rather not swallow a capsule. It does have a taste, so it will suit some people more than others. On this site it is filed under amino acids and health and wellness.

The label is explicit about who should not use it: it is for adults only and is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.

Good to know

• Printed caution. For adults only. Not recommended for pregnant/nursing women. Consult a physician if taking medications (especially antidepressants), or if you have a medical condition. May cause drowsiness and mild transient GI symptoms. Take with food in case of GI upset. Keep out of reach of children.
• Households with pets. The bottle states plainly that the product contains xylitol, which is harmful to pets. Store it where a dog or cat cannot reach it.
• Allergen statement. As printed: not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
• Seals on the bottle. The back of the bottle carries a GMP Quality Assured seal, and a kosher mark in the form of a K inside a triangle. The front marks the product Vegetarian/Vegan.
• Background reading. NIH keeps the Dietary Supplement Label Database, and NCCIH publishes general guidance on dietary and herbal supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need water to take this?

No — the tablet is chewed rather than swallowed whole, so no water is required. The printed instruction is one chewable tablet daily, preferably on an empty stomach at bedtime.

What does it taste like?

The front of the bottle describes a natural citrus flavor. That comes from the Natural Flavors and Citric Acid on the ingredient line, sweetened with the sugar alcohols xylitol and sorbitol, and the tablet is colored with annatto seed extract rather than a synthetic dye.

Is this safe to keep in a house with a dog?

Keep it well out of any pet's reach — the bottle states that the product contains xylitol, which is harmful to pets. That warning is printed by NOW on the caution panel and applies to the whole bottle, so store it closed and above floor level.

How many tablets are in the bottle, and how far does that go?

The bottle holds 90 chewable tablets. At the printed serving of one tablet daily that works out to a 90-day supply, though the panel itself does not print a servings figure.

Is it suitable for a vegetarian or vegan diet?

Yes — the front of the bottle is marked Vegetarian/Vegan. The inactive ingredients are plant-derived or mineral: cellulose, vegetable-source stearic acid, sugar alcohols, silicon dioxide, citric acid and annatto seed extract, with no gelatin declared on the panel.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe supplement facts directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplement for adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition, heart concerns, or take prescription medication (including nitrates). Keep out of reach of children.