Rapidity of onset of the antidepressant effect of parenteral S-adenosyl-L-methionine.
A possible method of reducing the delay in antidepressant response is to use S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), a naturally occurring compound that appears to have a rapid onset of effect in the treatment of depression. In this open, multicenter study, 195 patients were given 400 mg of SAMe, administered parenterally, for 15 days. Depressive symptoms remitted after both 7 and 15 days of treatment with SAMe, and no serious adverse events were reported. Further studies with a double-blind design are needed to confirm this preliminary indication that SAMe is a relatively safe and fast-acting antidepressant.
Fava
M
M
Depression Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA.
Giannelli
A
A
Rapisarda
V
V
Patralia
A
A
Guaraldi
G P
GP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine