SAMe was not different from placebo and established antidepressants .
The exception was that compared to imipramine , fewer participants experienced troublesome adverse effects when treated with parenteral SAMe .
BACKGROUND Depression is a recurrent illness with high rates of chronicity , treatment-resistance and significant economic impact .
There is evidence in the literature that S-adenosyl methionine ( SAMe ) , a naturally occurring compound in the human body , has antidepressant efficacy .
This product may be an important addition to the armamentarium of antidepressant agents .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of SAMe in comparison with placebo or antidepressants for the treatment of depression in adults .
Results and possible developments of the clinical use of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) in psychiatry.
Experimental work on the acute , chronic , and fetal toxicity of SAMe was carried out by Stramentinoli and his colleagues ( 19 ) . The intravenous LD50 in rats is more than 2000 mg/kg , or the equivalent of 140–150 g in a man of 70 kg . In man , on the other h and , clinical trials have revealed a definite action of the substance in the CNS with doses as little as 80/zg/kg ; the largest dose so far administered intravenously to humans is 0.5 g daily and has produced no visible side effects
SAMe was not different from placebo and established antidepressants .
The exception was that compared to imipramine , fewer participants experienced troublesome adverse effects when treated with parenteral SAMe .
BACKGROUND Depression is a recurrent illness with high rates of chronicity , treatment-resistance and significant economic impact .
There is evidence in the literature that S-adenosyl methionine ( SAMe ) , a naturally occurring compound in the human body , has antidepressant efficacy .
This product may be an important addition to the armamentarium of antidepressant agents .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of SAMe in comparison with placebo or antidepressants for the treatment of depression in adults .