s-adenosylmethionine

Generic Name: s-adenosylmethionine (s ad in O si l met hi o nine)Brand Names:

What is s-adenosylmethionine?

S-adenosylmethionine is a naturally occurring chemical in the body.

S-adenosylmethionine has been used for depression, osteoarthritis, joint health and liver problems.

S-adenosylmethionine has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of s-adenosylmethionine may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

S-adenosylmethionine may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.

The use of s-adenosylmethionine in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal/health supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

What is the most important information I should know about s-adenosylmethionine?

S-adenosylmethionine has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of s-adenosylmethionine may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Talk to your doctor before taking s-adenosylmethionine if you are taking anti-depressant medications. Do not stop or adjust your dose of anti-depressant medication without first talking to your doctor.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking s-adenosylmethionine?

Before taking s-adenosylmethionine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have any other medical conditions, allergies, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. S-adenosylmethionine may not be recommended in some situations.

Talk to your doctor before taking s-adenosylmethionine if you are taking anti-depressant medications. Do not stop or adjust your dose of anti-depressant medication without first talking to your doctor.

Do not take s-adenosylmethionine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. Do not take s-adenosylmethionine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. There is no information available regarding the use of s-adenosylmethionine by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.

How should I take s-adenosylmethionine?

If you choose to take s-adenosylmethionine, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets and powder) of s-adenosylmethionine at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional.

Store s-adenosylmethionine as directed on the package. In general, s-adenosylmethionine should be protected from light and moisture and stored in a sealed container.

What happens if I miss a dose?

No information is available regarding a missed dose of s-adenosylmethionine. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you require further information.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of a s-adenosylmethionine overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while taking s-adenosylmethionine?

There are no known restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking s-adenosylmethionine, unless otherwise directed by your health care professional.

S-adenosylmethionine side effects

Stop taking s-adenosylmethionine and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives.

Other less serious side effects of s-adenosylmethionine may include stomach ache, nausea, diarrhea, gas, anxiety, spasms and insomnia. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you experience any side effects from s-adenosylmethionine.

What other drugs will affect s-adenosylmethionine?

Interactions between s-adenosylmethionine and other prescription or over-the-counter medicines or herbal/health supplements have not been reported. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional before taking s-adenosylmethionine if you are taking any other medicines or supplements.

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider may have more information about s-adenosylmethionine.

• Consultation with a licensed health care professional is advisable before using any herbal/health supplement. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous. Remember, keep this and all other prescription drug products, over-the-counter drug products, and herbal/health supplements out of the reach of children.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.01. Revision Date: 8/31/05 12:25:38 PM.