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Research · Meta-analysis

Efficacy and acceptability of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) for depressed patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

What it found

SAMe monotherapy beat placebo (SMD −0.58) with oral and intramuscular routes effective; a trend toward slightly less benefit than antidepressants. (A separate 2024 meta-analysis found no significant benefit — the evidence is mixed.)

Design
Meta-analysis
Year
2024
Sample size
2,234
Population
adults with depression (23 trials)
Intervention
SAMe vs placebo, vs antidepressants, or as add-on therapy
Outcome
reduction in depressive symptoms; acceptability
Journal
European Psychiatry

Citation last checked 2026-06-21.