Evidence

The evidence for efficacy of SAMe is still developing. Most studies using SAMe for depression are small and short-term making extrapolation to clinical care difficult, and at least one early, larger study did not show a benefit of intravenous SAMe as compared to placebo (Delle Chiaie 1999). Nevertheless, a recent systematic review did show consistent positive results of using SAMe, and some studies showed better tolerability and equal efficacy of SAMe as compared with conventional medications (Williams 2005b, Delle Chiaie 2002). The authors of the review recommended further study to better clarify the role of SAMe in treating major depression.