I did a little search through my files and found the dosing information for SAM-e for depression. I did use this and it worked well.
S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM-e or SAMe) is an amino acid. SAM-e was discovered in 1952 in Italy, where it is manufactured. Until recently, it was exceedingly expensive to produce, and therefore unavailable to the public, although it is well studied. SAM-e is sold as a prescription drug in most European countries, Russia, India and Mexico where it has been used to treat arthritis and depression but has not been approved by the FDA for sale in the USA or Canada. So it is sold as a food supplement in both the USA and Canada. Only Russia sells the injectable form Ademetionine 1,4- butanedisulfonate.
SAM-e is a naturally occurring compound that is present in tissues throughout the body. At the molecular level, SAM-e is involved in various metabolic pathways, including transmethylation, transsulfuration and aminopropylation (e.g. in the production of polyamines, such as spermidine and spermine, from putrescine).
In the body, SAM-e is synthesized from an amino acid, methionine, and a triphosphate nucleotide, ATP. SAM-e has been tested in numerous clinical trials for the treatment of various ailments, including arthritis, liver disease and depression.
SAM-e comes in the S-Adenosylmethionine tosylate disulfate form meaning that 200mg of this substance will yield 100mg of the tosylate disulfate an inactive stabilizing salt and 100mg of actual active component S-Adenosylmethionine. SAM-e supplementation was initially considered impractical, due to the instability of the SAM-e ion during manufacturing, shipping and storage. Eventually stable salts of SAM-e were developed (such as SAM-e tosylate disulfate). So this for is active for 3 years stored at -20C.
• Depression. Taking SAM-e by mouth, as an injection, or as a shot seems to reduce symptoms of major depression. Several studies have shown that taking SAM-e by mouth can be beneficial and might be as effective as some prescription medications used for depression (tricyclic antidepressants). Some research also shows that taking SAM-e by mouth might be helpful for people who do not have a good response to a prescription antidepressant. Giving SAM-e as an injection or as a shot also seems to improve depression as effectively as some prescription medications used for depression. But lower doses of SAM-e (100-200 mg) might not improve depression scores in people with mild to moderate depression when given as an injection or a shot. SAM-e should not be taken in combination with a prescription antidepressant without the monitoring of a health professional.
Suggested dosing protocol for depression:
2 day – 400mg (200mg morning and afternoon)
9 days – 1000mg (500mg morning and afternoon)
9 days – 1200mg (600mg morning and afternoon)
42 days 1600mg (800mg morning and afternoon)
62 days total
Absorption
Investigators have found that SAM-e can be effectively released into the stomach and give rise to elevated SAM-e plasma levels and therefore, an enteric coating is not critical for achieving absorption. Best taken on an empty stomach as food effects absorption.
General Oral Dosing
• For depression: Up to 1600 mg of SAM-e daily in two divided doses for up to 8 weeks has been used alone or together with antidepressant medications. A combination product (DDM Metile, Omeopiacenza, Piacenza, Italy) containing 250 mg of SAM-e taken twice daily for 12 months has been used.
• For osteoarthritis: 600-1200 mg of SAM-e daily in up to three divided doses for up to 84 days has been used.
• For cirrhosis: 600 mg of SAM-e daily for one month has been used. A combination 30 mg of SAM-e plus 100 mcg of vitamin B12 six times daily for 30 days has been used.
• For fibromyalgia: 800 mg per of SAM-e daily in two divided doses for 6 weeks has been used.
• For conditions in which bile flow from the liver is slow or blocked (Intrahepatic cholestasis): 500 mg of SAM-e taken twice daily until delivery or 1600 mg taken daily in two divided doses for 2 weeks has been used.
• For sexual dysfunction: 400 mg of SAM-e taken twice daily for 2 weeks, then increased to 800 mg twice daily for another 6 weeks, has been used.
Side Effects
While SAM-e is a very safe product it can have a few mild side effects including:
• Nausea.
• Diarrhea.
• Headache.
• Anxiety.
• Gas.
• Swings from depression to intense energy (mania).
Warning - People diagnosed with bipolar disorder should not take SAM-e.
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