Antidepressant medications have become increasingly popular for treatment in the United States, with the most common forms being selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Antidepressants are an effective treatment for depression; however, some patients do not respond to antidepressant medications and/or cannot tolerate the side effects. For over thirty years, the supplement S-adenosylmethiomine (SAMe) has been used in Europe and other parts of the world for the treatment of depression. Considering the high prevalence of depression worldwide, it is essential to have a variety of treatments available for patients to consider. Non-responders and those who experience adverse side effects to antidepressants may favor alternatives medicines such as SAMe. The present research provides information on the efficacy and the side effects associated with SAMe for treatment of depression compared with SSRIs and SNRIs.
