title: Pharmacokinetic factors in the clinical use of tryptophan.
abstract: A patient with chronic pain and DSM-III unipolar and cyclothymic disorders was treated with L-tryptophan, 3000 mg before bed for 3 nights, and showed no response. She then began to take L-tryptophan, 1000 mg every 4 hours, with a high carbohydrate, low protein meal and immediately showed a clear improvement in exercise tolerance (reduced pain) and alleviation of affective symptoms. The importance of pharmacokinetic factors in the clinical use of L-tryptophan is emphasized.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003527:Cyclothymic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014364:Tryptophan