SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine)

S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (also called S-adenosyl methionine, S-adenosylmethionine, SAMe, or SAM-e in the United States or ademetionine in Europe, and also often abbreviated as SAM and AdoMet) is a chemical that is found naturally in the body. SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine) is used for Depression, Osteoarthritis and Liver diseases.

Also called: New Nusam (India)

Pronunciation: Not established by these sources..

Generic name
S-adenosyl-L-methionine
Drug class
Dietary supplement; a chemical found naturally in the body, made in the body from methionine, an amino acid found in foods
Form
Not established by these sources. Marketed as a dietary supplement.
Route
Not established by these sources. Some studies used injected SAMe rather than an oral form (taken by mouth).
Legal status
Sold in the United States as a dietary supplement. Dietary supplements are not approved by the US FDA for safety or effectiveness before sale. (Note: research notes do not specify legal status outside the United States; not established by these sources.)

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: India

Australia: · Full directory

What S-adenosyl-L-methionine is and how it works

S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (also called S-adenosyl methionine, S-adenosylmethionine, SAMe, or SAM-e in the United States or ademetionine in Europe, and also often abbreviated as SAM and AdoMet) is a chemical that is found naturally in the body. SAMe is sold in the United States as a dietary supplement. SAMe was discovered in the early 1950s. It's made in the body from methionine, an amino acid found in foods. It has been found to regulate key functions in living cells. (1)

SAMe has been studied primarily for depression, osteoarthritis, and liver diseases. Although there are hints that it might be helpful for these conditions, the evidence is not conclusive. Data on the long-term safety of SAMe and its safety for use during pregnancy are too limited to draw any conclusions. Consult your health care provider about using SAMe supplements. Don't use SAMe to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.

Mechanism of action: how S-adenosyl-L-methionine works

SAMe is a chemical that is found naturally in the body. SAMe was discovered in the early 1950s. It's made in the body from methionine, an amino acid found in foods. It has been found to regulate key functions in living cells. Abnormal levels of SAMe in the body have been reported in liver diseases and depression. Some studies used injected SAMe, which may not have the same effects as SAMe taken as a dietary supplement. (1) (3)

What is S-adenosyl-L-methionine used for?

Depression

Overall, the evidence that oral SAMe may be helpful for depression is not conclusive. At least 40 studies in people have evaluated SAMe for depression, and many of them showed evidence of beneficial effects. However, most of these trials lasted only a few weeks, included a small number of participants, and were not of the highest scientific quality. Also, some studies used injected SAMe rather than an oral form. Abnormal levels of SAMe in the body have been reported in depression, which prompted researchers to investigate whether SAMe might be helpful in treating this condition. (1)

Osteoarthritis

The results of research on SAMe for osteoarthritis are mixed. Studies in people have compared oral SAMe with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or placebos in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. In general, studies that compared SAMe with NSAIDs showed that each had similar pain relief and improvement in joint function, with fewer side effects in the patients taking SAMe. The smaller number of studies that compared SAMe with placebo did not consistently show SAMe to be beneficial. The idea that SAMe might be helpful for osteoarthritis came from studies of SAMe for depression; some participants in the depression studies who also had osteoarthritis said their joint symptoms improved when they took SAMe. (1) (2)

Liver diseases

There's some evidence linking decreased levels of SAMe in the body with the development of liver diseases, and animal studies have suggested that SAMe may be of value for liver problems. However, whether SAMe is beneficial for liver diseases in people has not been established. For intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), a type of cholestasis in which the flow of bile from the liver is slowed or blocked, several studies have evaluated SAMe but had conflicting results, and current data are insufficient to show whether SAMe is helpful for ICP. SAMe has also been studied for other liver diseases, including alcoholic liver cirrhosis, hepatitis C, various types of cholestasis, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, as well as for the prevention of liver cancer, but research is inconclusive. (1)

Other conditions studied

SAMe has also been studied for other conditions, including fibromyalgia, migraine, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, but there isn't enough evidence to reach conclusions about its effects in these conditions. A trial of SAMe as a quit-smoking aid showed that it didn't increase the quit rate or reduce withdrawal symptoms. (1)

Before taking S-adenosyl-L-methionine

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • People with bipolar disorder (an illness characterized by mood swings, from depression to mania) should not take SAMe for their depressive symptoms except under the supervision of a health care provider, because SAMe may worsen symptoms of mania. (bipolar disorder) (1)
  • Don't use SAMe to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem. (all uses) (1)

Tell your clinician about

  • Whether you are pregnant or nursing a child.
  • Any medicine or other dietary supplements you take.
  • Whether you have bipolar disorder.
  • Whether you have Parkinson's disease.
  • Whether you are HIV-positive or otherwise immunocompromised.
  • Whether you are considering giving SAMe to a child.
  • Tell your health care provider about any dietary supplements you use.
  • Check with your health care provider about the supplements you take if you are going to have any type of surgery.
(1) (3)

S-adenosyl-L-methionine dosage and how to take it

  • No dose is provided by these sources. Do not take a bigger dose than the label recommends.
  • Consult your health care provider about using SAMe supplements.
  • Read trustworthy information about the supplement.
(1) (3)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3)

Missed dose

Not established by these sources. Consult your health care provider for guidance.

Overdose

Not established by these sources. Do not take a bigger dose than the label recommends. If you are concerned about an overdose or a possible reaction, seek medical attention promptly and contact a poison-information service; let the clinician you see advise on what to do. (3)

S-adenosyl-L-methionine side effects

Side effects of SAMe are uncommon, and when they do occur they are usually minor problems such as nausea or digestive upsets. Information on the long-term safety of SAMe is limited because the participants in most studies took it only for short periods of time. However, in one study of alcohol-related liver disease, participants took SAMe for 2 years; in that study, no serious side effects were reported.

Nausea or digestive upsets

What to notice: Side effects of SAMe are uncommon, and when they do occur they are usually minor problems such as nausea or digestive upsets.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with your health care provider. (1)

Mania or worsening mood symptoms in bipolar disorder

What to notice: Mood swings, from depression to mania; SAMe may worsen symptoms of mania.

What to do: People with bipolar disorder should not take SAMe for their depressive symptoms except under the supervision of a health care provider; contact your health care provider promptly about any worsening mood symptoms. (1)

Serious warnings

Bipolar disorder and risk of mania — serious

Symptoms: Mood swings, from depression to mania; SAMe may worsen symptoms of mania.

Action: SAMe may not be safe for people with bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder should not take SAMe for their depressive symptoms except under the supervision of a health care provider. (1)

Pharmacist/clinician note: potential interaction with levodopa — serious

Symptoms: SAMe may decrease the effects of levodopa (L-dopa), a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease.

Action: Consult your health care provider about using SAMe supplements if you have Parkinson's disease or take levodopa. (1)

Theoretical concern in immunocompromised people — serious

Symptoms: There's theoretical reason to believe that taking SAMe may promote Pneumocystis infection in people who are immunocompromised, such as those who are HIV-positive. Immunocompromised people are at risk for Pneumocystis carinii infection, and SAMe enhances the growth of this microorganism.

Action: Consult your health care provider about using SAMe supplements if you are HIV-positive or immunocompromised. (1)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding — caution

Symptoms: Although SAMe has been used to treat cholestasis during pregnancy, its safety during pregnancy has not been established.

Action: If you're pregnant or nursing a child, it's especially important to consult your (or your child's) health care provider. (1)

Interactions

Medicine or testEffectAction
Levodopa (L-dopa), a drug used to treat Parkinson's diseaseSAMe may decrease the effects of levodopa (L-dopa).Consult your health care provider about using SAMe supplements if you take levodopa for Parkinson's disease. (1)
Drugs and dietary supplements that increase levels of serotonin, such as antidepressants, L-tryptophan, and St. John's wortIt's possible that SAMe might interact with drugs and dietary supplements that increase levels of serotonin (a chemical produced by nerve cells).Consult your health care provider about using SAMe supplements and tell them about any medicines or other dietary supplements you take. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

People with bipolar disorder

SAMe may not be safe for people with bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder should not take SAMe for their depressive symptoms except under the supervision of a health care provider because SAMe may worsen symptoms of mania. (1)

People with Parkinson's disease

SAMe may decrease the effects of levodopa (L-dopa), a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease. It's especially important to consult your health care provider if you have Parkinson's disease. (1)

Immunocompromised people, including those who are HIV-positive

There's a theoretical concern about the use of SAMe by people who are immunocompromised (such as those who are HIV-positive). Immunocompromised people are at risk for Pneumocystis carinii infection, and SAMe enhances the growth of this microorganism. It's especially important to consult your health care provider if you're HIV-positive. (1)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Data on the safety of SAMe for use during pregnancy are too limited to draw any conclusions. Although SAMe has been used to treat cholestasis during pregnancy, its safety during pregnancy has not been established. If you're pregnant or nursing a child, it's especially important to consult your (or your child's) health care provider. (1)

Children

Research notes state only that if you're considering giving SAMe to a child, it's especially important to consult your (or your child's) health care provider. No other paediatric information is established by these sources. (1)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Consult your health care provider about using SAMe supplements.
  • If you're pregnant or nursing a child, if you take medicine or other dietary supplements, if you have bipolar disorder or Parkinson's disease, if you're HIV-positive, or if you're considering giving SAMe to a child, it's especially important to consult your (or your child's) health care provider.
  • Don't use SAMe to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.

During treatment

  • Talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use, so you can make shared, well-informed decisions.
  • Tell your health care provider about any dietary supplements you use.
  • Check with your health care provider about the supplements you take if you are going to have any type of surgery.
  • Do not take a bigger dose than the label recommends.
(1) (3)

Storage

Not established by these sources.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only. Use the current local product information, the source material below, and clinical judgement. Dietary supplements are not approved by the US FDA for safety or effectiveness before sale. Where these sources say evidence is weak, mixed, or insufficient, this page says so; no claim beyond the quoted sources is made.

All regions

Indication: Any SAMe use

Dose summary: No dose is provided by these sources. Do not take a bigger dose than the label recommends.

Renal context: Not established by these sources. (3)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

There's some evidence linking decreased levels of SAMe in the body with the development of liver diseases, and animal studies have suggested that SAMe may be of value for liver problems. However, whether SAMe is beneficial for liver diseases in people has not been established. No impairment-specific dosing is provided by these sources.

Overdose note

Not established by these sources. Do not take a bigger dose than the label recommends. If you are concerned about an overdose or a possible reaction, seek medical attention promptly and contact a poison-information service; let the clinician you see advise on what to do. (1) (3)

Frequently asked questions

Does SAMe work for depression, osteoarthritis, or liver disease?

For all three conditions, research has not conclusively shown that SAMe is helpful. Although there are hints that it might be helpful for these conditions, the evidence is not conclusive. For osteoarthritis specifically, some studies found SAMe appeared to be as effective as NSAIDs in relieving symptoms, while other studies found it was no more helpful than a placebo. (1) (2)

Is SAMe safe to take long-term?

Data on the long-term safety of SAMe are too limited to draw any conclusions because the participants in most studies took it only for short periods of time. However, in one study of alcohol-related liver disease, participants took SAMe for 2 years, and no serious side effects were reported. (1)

Can I take SAMe if I have bipolar disorder?

SAMe may not be safe for people with bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder should not take SAMe for their depressive symptoms except under the supervision of a health care provider because SAMe may worsen symptoms of mania. (1)

Does SAMe interact with medicines?

SAMe may interact with some medicines or other dietary supplements. SAMe may decrease the effects of levodopa (L-dopa), a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease. It's also possible that SAMe might interact with drugs and dietary supplements that increase levels of serotonin, such as antidepressants, L-tryptophan, and St. John's wort. Tell your health care provider about any dietary supplements you use. (1) (3)

What is the mechanism of action of S-adenosyl-L-methionine?

SAMe is a chemical that is found naturally in the body. SAMe was discovered in the early 1950s. It's made in the body from methionine, an amino acid found in foods. It has been found to regulate key functions in living cells. Abnormal levels of SAMe in the body have been reported in liver diseases and depression. Some studies used injected SAMe, which may not have the same effects as SAMe taken as a dietary supplement. (1) (3)

What is the generic name of SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine)?

The generic name is S-adenosyl-L-methionine. (1)

What class of drug is S-adenosyl-L-methionine?

SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine) is classed as: Dietary supplement; a chemical found naturally in the body, made in the body from methionine, an amino acid found in foods. (1)

References

  1. S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe): In DepthNIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health · United States · dated 2017-01 · accessed 2026-10-13 · source 1
  2. Osteoarthritis: In DepthNIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health · United States · dated 2016-09 · accessed 2026-10-13 · source 2
  3. Dietary Supplements (health topic)MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine · United States · accessed 2026-10-13 · source 3

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient S-adenosyl-L-methionine names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

India

  • New Nusamtablet · 200 mg, 400 mg · Sun Pharmapharmacy source recorded
  • New Adesamtablet · 200 mg, 400 mg · Sun Pharmapharmacy source recorded
  • Methosamtablet · 200 mg · La Renon Healthcare Pvt Ltdpharmacy source recorded
  • Alsametablet · not stated on listing · Alniche Lifesciences Pvt Ltdpharmacy source recorded
View brands in additional countries.

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