Posted by JohnL on October 8, 1999, at 18:06:54
In reply to Re: SAMe -- James there, that would be saint..., posted by Kathy on October 8, 1999, at 16:48:03
> Thanks for all the interesting/informative
> comments! I am considering using SAMe as an adjunct
> to ADs to boost their effectiveness, but not knowing
> much about its metabolism, half-life, mode of action,
> and interactions with other drugs, makes nervous
> about recommending it: eg. combining L-tryptophan
> with an MAOI can potentially cause a life-threatening
> "serotonin syndrome". Any info on this type of
> problem with SAMe?
> Thanks again.
Don't know about mode of action or half-life. That's kind of like asking about the mode of action and half life of, say, a vitamin. SAMe's action spans a wide array of bodily functions such as liver, joints, and brain. It's difficult to compare it to L-tryp, 5HTP, or any prescrip. Like apples and oranges. It's not a drug or a precursor.Serotonin syndrome is a definite possibility with an AD and L-tryp because of the serotonin-specific action. SAMe is not serotonin specific though. It wouldn't surprise me to find out it has nothing to do with serotonin at all. Its therapeutic benefits likely come from other functions as I understand it.
In any case, from what I've read and from my own experience, SAMe is safe with ADs. It is always wise though to start low and feel it out before moving up. Hard to predict adverse responses from one person to the next. I have talked with someone else on 400mg SAMe with 40mg Prozac and she loves it. I've done 1200mg with 20mg Prozac. No prob. An excerpt of a book I browsed through at a bookstore said it might not replace a prescrip AD, but would probably allow a lower dosage of it. My own opinion is that of all the things out there that could be dangerous, SAMe is near the bottom of that list.
poster:JohnL
thread:12407
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991001/msgs/12834.html