SAM-e SAMe

Generic name: S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)
Drug class: Nutraceutical products

Usage of SAM-e SAMe

SAM-e (also known as SAMe) is a man-made form of a chemical that occurs naturally in the body.

SAMe is likely effective in alternative medicine as an aid in treating osteoarthritis.

SAMe has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid with itching, tiredness, and abnormal lab tests in people with liver disease, and improving symptoms in people with depression.

Other uses not proven with research have included treating alcohol-related liver disease, schizophrenia, aging, Alzheimer disease, fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, migraine headaches, seizures, premenstrual syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

It is not certain whether SAMe is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. SAMe should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

SAMe is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

SAMe may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

SAM-e SAMe side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Although not all side effects are known, SAMe is thought to be likely safe for most adults when used as directed.

Common side effects of SAM-e may include:

changes in hair color;

headache, dizziness;

feeling anxious or nervous;

loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, upset stomach;

dry mouth;

diarrhea, constipation;

increased sweating; or

sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking SAM-e SAMe

You should not use SAMe if you have bipolar disorder (manic depression), anxiety disorder, or take antidepressant medications.

Do not use SAMe if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, Selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you also use stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with SAMe could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:

a planned surgery;

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome; or

Parkinson's disease.

It is not known whether SAMe will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.

SAMe is considered likely unsafe to use if you are nursing a baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breastfeeding a baby.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

Relate drugs

Warnings

You should not use SAMe if you have bipolar depression, anxiety disorder, or take medicine for depression.

What other drugs will affect SAM-e SAMe

Do not take SAMe without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

Dextromethorphan (a cough medicine such as Robitussin DM);

drugs that affect serotonin, such as antidepressants, stimulants, or medicine for migraines;

Levodopa; or

a narcotic medicine such as Meperidine (Demerol), Pentazocine, or tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect SAMe, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.