S-adenosylmethionine SAMe

S-adenosylmethionine (also known as SAMe) is a manmade form of a chemical that occurs naturally in the body.

SAMe has been used in alternative medicine as a likely effective aid in reducing the symptoms of depression, and in treating osteoarthritis.

SAMe is possibly effective in treating liver disease during pregnancy, improving symptoms in people with fibromyalgia, and in treating nerve problems in people with AIDS, or sexual dysfunction in men with depression.

Other uses not proven with research have included treating liver disease, heart disease, schizophrenia, anxiety, tendonitis, 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.

You should not use SAMe if you are also using a prescription antidepressant medicine.

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.

You should not use SAMe if you are also using a prescription antidepressant medicine.

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.

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

• bipolar disorder (manic depression); 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.

It is not known whether SAMe passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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

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

• dextromethorphan (a cough medicine such as Robitussin DM);

• levodopa; or

• a narcotic medicine such as meperidine (Demerol), pentazocine, or tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with SAMe, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide.