Conditions: Depression
Keywords: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors S-adenosyl Methionine SSRI SAMe
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 73
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
This study will determine the effectiveness of adding S-adenosyl methionine to antidepressant drug treatment in reducing depressive symptoms in depressed people who have not responded to antidepressants alone.

Detailed description:
Some people with depression do not respond well to antidepressant treatment. S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) is a naturally occurring compound that may have antidepressant effects. SAMe may also enhance the effectiveness of other antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This study will determine the effectiveness of oral SAMe in enhancing the effects of SSRIs in patients currently not responding to SSRI treatment.

This study will last 6 weeks. No follow-up visits will occur. Participants will be randomly assigned to add either oral SAMe or placebo to their existing SSRI regimen for 6 weeks. Depression scales and self-report questionnaires regarding depressive symptoms will be used to assess participants at the end of the study.

Arms:
arm 1: Participants receiving the oral SAMe tosylate arm 2: Participants receiving placebo

Interventions: intervention 1: S-adenosyl methione (SAMe) intervention 2: Placebo
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Oral SAMe tosylate, up to 1600 mg per day for 6 weeks intervention 2: Placebo to be taken daily for 6 weeks

Protocol document: