Amino acids

SAMe

Also called: S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosyl methionine

A compound the body makes from methionine, used in many chemical reactions.

Why people take it
Depression, osteoarthritis, liver.
What the evidence says
Some evidence for osteoarthritis pain and depression, though studies are of mixed quality.
How it is usually taken
Usually 400 to 1,600 mg a day on an empty stomach.
Be careful
Do not combine with antidepressants. Can trigger mania in bipolar disorder.
Medicines it can interact with
Serotonin syndrome risk with antidepressants and tramadol; may trigger mania in bipolar disorder; may affect levodopa.

Other amino acids

L-arginineL-citrullineL-glutamineL-carnitineBeta-alanineBCAAsEAAsL-tyrosineL-lysineGlycineTaurineN-acetylcysteine (NAC)Glutathione5-HTPL-tryptophanGABA

Common questions

What is SAMe?

A compound the body makes from methionine, used in many chemical reactions.

Why do people take SAMe?

Depression, osteoarthritis, liver.

Does SAMe work?

Some evidence for osteoarthritis pain and depression, though studies are of mixed quality.

How much SAMe do people take?

Usually 400 to 1,600 mg a day on an empty stomach.

Is SAMe safe?

Do not combine with antidepressants. Can trigger mania in bipolar disorder.

Does SAMe interact with medicines?

Serotonin syndrome risk with antidepressants and tramadol; may trigger mania in bipolar disorder; may affect levodopa.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu.

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For information only, not medical advice. Supplements are not medicines: they are not tested and approved like drugs before they are sold, and they can interact with medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start one, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take regular medicines, or have kidney, liver or heart disease.