S-Adenosyl Methionine
Description
S-Adenosyl Methionine is a natural substance present in the cells of the body. It plays an important role in cell growth and repair. It also helps in the maintenance of hormones that affect mood and behaviour.
S-Adenosyl Methionine may cause side effects such as dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea/constipation, etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist or worsen.
S-Adenosyl Methionine should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor. Take it at the same time every day to maintain a constant level of this medicine in your body.
S-Adenosyl Methionine should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have a history of mental health problems or vitamin (B12 or B9) deficiencies before beginning treatment with this medicine. Close evaluation with respect to your current medicines is necessary to avoid any undesired side effects.
S-Adenosyl Methionine is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or are planning a pregnancy, consult your doctor before taking this medication.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for S-Adenosyl Methionine
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Diarrhoea or Constipation
- Insomnia
- Increased sweating
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Abdominal pain
Uses of S-Adenosyl Methionine
What is it prescribed for?
- Nutritional Supplementation
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time required by S-Adenosyl Methionine to show its effect is not clinically known.
- Duration of effectThe duration for which S-Adenosyl Methionine remains effective is not clinically known.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies have been reported with S-Adenosyl Methionine.
- Usage in pregnancy?Due to a lack of safety and efficacy studies in pregnant women, the risk to your developing foetus due to S-Adenosyl Methionine is not known. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy unless necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is not known whether S-Adenosyl Methionine passes into breastmilk. Hence this medicine is not recommended during breastfeeding unless necessary. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
Allergy
Avoid S-Adenosyl Methionine if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of medicines used to treat depression. S-Adenosyl Methionine is not recommended if you are on treatment with MAOIs or have taken them in the last 14 days due to the increased risk of severe side effects.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Due to a lack of safety and efficacy studies in pregnant women, the risk to your developing foetus due to S-Adenosyl Methionine is not known. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy unless necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether S-Adenosyl Methionine passes into breastmilk. Hence this medicine is not recommended during breastfeeding unless necessary. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
General warnings
Bipolar disorder
S-Adenosyl Methionine is not recommended if you have a history of bipolar disorder (a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings) due to the increased risk of worsening your condition.
Driving or Operating machines
S-Adenosyl Methionine may cause dizziness. If you experience any symptoms that may affect your mental alertness, do not drive vehicles or operate machines.
Other medicines
S-Adenosyl Methionine may interact with other medicines and may cause undesired side effects. Inform your doctor about your current medicines including any herbs or supplements before taking this medicine.
Use in children
S-Adenosyl Methionine is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age due to a lack of safety and efficacy studies.
Vitamin deficiency
Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies may decrease the absorption and effectiveness of S-Adenosyl Methionine. In case of vitamin deficiencies, appropriate supplementation may be required along with this medicine based on your clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Try not to skip a dose of S-Adenosyl Methionine. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Do not double the dose to compensate for a missed one.
Overdose
Do not take more than the prescribed dose. Contact your doctor if you suspect an overdose with S-Adenosyl Methionine.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Levodopa
Antidepressants
Dextromethorphan
Tramadol
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Food may reduce the absorption of S-Adenosyl Methionine, leading to decreased effectiveness. Hence it is recommended to take this medicine on an empty stomach.
Lab interactions
Homocysteine Test
S-Adenosyl Methionine may interfere with Homocysteine immunoassay and may give false-positive results. Hence if you are on treatment with S-Adenosyl Methionine, inform your doctor/laboratory technician before taking this test.
Take S-Adenosyl Methionine on an empty stomach for better absorption.
Do not take more or less than the prescribed dose. Do not stop the use of S-Adenosyl Methionine without consulting your doctor.
Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you experience any symptoms that may affect your alertness after taking S-Adenosyl Methionine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
S-Adenosyl Methionine plays an important role in cell growth and repair. It also helps in the maintenance of hormones that affect mood and behaviour.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Nutraceutical products
Schedule
Schedule H
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. S-adenosylmethionine. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 2 December 2021].
Mayo Clinic. 2021. SAMe. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 2 December 2021].
Cleveland Clinic. 2021. S-adenosyl-L-methionine, SAM-e oral dosage forms. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 2 December 2021].
Medicine.abbott. 2021. [online] Available at: <ott/content/dam/bss/divisionalsites/epd/productpdf/Transmetil%20500mg.pdf> [Accessed 2 December 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 7 Dec 2021
Disclaimer
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