Chemicals and Drugs

Tryptophan

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.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

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.

MeSH Record

Classification

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

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See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

18 entry terms
  • L-Tryptophan
  • Levotryptophan
  • L Tryptophan
  • Ardeydorm
  • Ardeytropin
  • L-Tryptophan-ratiopharm
  • Lyphan
  • Naturruhe
  • Optimax
  • PMS-Tryptophan
  • Trofan
  • Tryptacin
  • Tryptan
  • Tryptophan Metabolism Alterations
  • ratio-Tryptophan
  • L Tryptophan ratiopharm
  • PMS Tryptophan
  • ratio Tryptophan

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

30 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analogs & derivatives, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QU 60

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Tryptophan. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D014364. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D014364
  2. Tryptophan. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tryptophan
  3. Tryptophan. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q181003