Same
Scientific names: S-adenosyl-L-methionine
Alternate names: Ademetionine, Adenosylmethionine, Adénosylméthionine, AdoMet, S-Adenosyl Methionine, S-Adénosyl Méthionine, S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine, S-Adénosyl-L-Méthionine, S-Adenosylmethionine, S-Adénosylméthionine, S-Adenosylmethionine Butanedisulfonate, S-Adenosylmethionine Tosylate, S-Adenosylmethionine Tosylate Disulfate, SAM, SAM-e, Sammy, Samyr
Actions: Anti-arthritic, Antidepressant, Anti-ulcer, Cardiovascular, Endocrine, Hepatic, Myelopathy, Parkinson
Background
SAMe is a molecule that is made naturally in the body from homocysteine and folate. It can also be made in a lab and taken in supplements.
SAMe is involved in the formation, activation, and breakdown of other chemicals in the body, including hormones, proteins, and certain drugs. The body uses it to make certain chemicals that play a role in pain, depression, liver disease, and other conditions.
People most commonly take SAMe for depression and osteoarthritis. It is also used for anxiety, liver disease, fibromyalgia, schizophrenia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
SAMe has been available as a dietary supplement in the US since 1999, but it has been used as a prescription drug in Italy, Spain, and Germany for many decades.
SAMe is involved in the formation, activation, and breakdown of other chemicals in the body, including hormones, proteins, and certain drugs. The body uses it to make certain chemicals that play a role in pain, depression, liver disease, and other conditions.
People most commonly take SAMe for depression and osteoarthritis. It is also used for anxiety, liver disease, fibromyalgia, schizophrenia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
SAMe has been available as a dietary supplement in the US since 1999, but it has been used as a prescription drug in Italy, Spain, and Germany for many decades.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: SAMe is likely safe. Side effects might include gas, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, headache, and nervousness, especially at higher doses.
Bipolar disorder: SAMe can cause people with bipolar disorder to enter a manic state. If you have bipolar disorder, don't use SAMe.
Inherited disorder called Lesch-Nyhan syndrome: SAMe might make symptoms of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome worse.
Parkinson disease: There is some concern that SAMe might make symptoms of Parkinson disease worse.
Surgery: SAMe might affect the central nervous system. This could interfere with surgery. Stop taking SAMe at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if SAMe is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Bipolar disorder: SAMe can cause people with bipolar disorder to enter a manic state. If you have bipolar disorder, don't use SAMe.
Inherited disorder called Lesch-Nyhan syndrome: SAMe might make symptoms of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome worse.
Parkinson disease: There is some concern that SAMe might make symptoms of Parkinson disease worse.
Surgery: SAMe might affect the central nervous system. This could interfere with surgery. Stop taking SAMe at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
- Osteoarthritis. Taking SAMe by mouth seems to work about as well as ibuprofen and other similar drugs for reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis. But most people need to take SAMe for about a month before they feel better.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Reduced or blocked flow of bile from the liver (cholestasis). Taking SAMe by mouth or by IV is about as effective as taking the prescription drug called ursodeoxycholic acid. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider.
- Depression. Taking SAMe by mouth might reduce symptoms of major depression in some people. It might be helpful for people who don't have a good response to prescription antidepressants. Sometimes it's helpful when used together with prescription antidepressants.
Dosing & administration
SAMe has most often been used by adults in doses of 400-1600 mg by mouth daily for up to 12 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Levodopa
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Levodopa is used for Parkinson disease. SAMe can change levodopa in the body and decrease its effects. Taking SAMe along with levodopa might make Parkinson disease symptoms worse. Do not take SAMe if you are taking levodopa.
Serotonergic drugs
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
SAMe might increase a brain chemical called serotonin. Some medications also have this effect. Taking SAMe along with these medications might increase serotonin too much. This might cause serious side effects including heart problems, seizures, and vomiting.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements with serotonergic properties: SAMe increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Taking it along with other supplements that have this effect might cause serious side effects, including heart problems, seizures, and vomiting. Examples of supplements with this effect include 5-HTP, black seed, L-tryptophan, and St. John's wort.
Interactions with foods
SAMe should be taken on an empty stomach, either 30-60 minutes before a meal or two hours after a meal.
Products
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Per tablet:
Practitioner product
Per tablet:
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Per tablet:
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Per tablet:
- S-Adenosylmethionine disulfate tosylate (SAMe) 98 mg equiv. s-Adenosylmethionine 50 mg
- Hypericum perforatum ext. 600 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 60 mg
- Rhodiola rosea ext. 36 mg
- Plectranthus barbatus ext. 17 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 270 μg equiv. folinic acid 250 μg
- Potassium iodide 98 μg equiv. iodine 75 μg
- Cholecalciferol 5 μg equiv. vitamin D3 200 IU
- Selenomethionine 125 μg equiv. selenium 50 μg
Practitioner product
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This monograph was last reviewed on 17/06/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 17/09/2020 00:05:26. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
