RESULTS OF TREATMENT WITH S-ADENOSYL-L-METHIONINE IN PATIENTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSION AND INTERNAL ILLNESSES

Forty-eight patients with major depression associated with internal il lnesses of various origins were enrolled for 4 weeks of treatment with S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe). The medication was administered paren terally (400 mg daily either intravenously or intramuscularly) in inpa tients and orally (800 mg daily) in outpatients. Evaluations were perf ormed via Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) by comparing the scores on day 28 with baseline values. Statistically significant differences we re observed (P < 0.01). Although minor adverse side effects were repor ted, they were not severe enough to withdraw medication. SAMe treatmen t proved to be effective and relatively safe in depressed patients wit h associated internal illnesses.