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Herbs & Supplements

Printable Version AldoMet
Scientific Name: S-adenosyl methionine (SAM-e)
Other Names: Ademetionine, S-adenosyl-L-methionine, SAM, Sammy

When should I be careful taking it?

Because some study evidence suggests that SAM-e may worsen the symptoms of Parkinson's disease; individuals who have Parkinson's disease should not take supplemental SAM-e.

Some individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder have been found to have high levels of SAM-e in their brains. Cases of mania (extreme happiness, excitability, and hyperactivity) have been attributed to the use of supplemental SAM-e by individuals who have bipolar disorder or major depression. Therefore, individuals who have these conditions are advised to take supplemental SAM-e only when its use is supervised by a healthcare professional.

Precautions

Although SAM-e has been studied in pregnant women, its exact effects on a developing fetus are not well known. Therefore, SAM-e supplementation is not recommended during pregnancy.

Not enough is known about how SAM-e might affect an infant to recommend its use while breast-feeding. Small children should also avoid taking SAM-e because its possible long-term effects on growth are not known.

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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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