Frequently Asked Questions
You've got questions about SAM-e, and we understand that receiving the best information available is important to you. We’ve updated our site to answer your questions and help you understand more about SAM-e. Here, you’ll find the answers to the questions many of you have asked. If you have other questions, please let us know, and we will do our best to answer them.
Is SAM-e safe to take with prescription drugs and other supplements?
Why do people supplement with SAM-e?
What are the ingredients of SAM-e?
Is SAM-e like St. John’s Wort?
Can I get a free sample of SAM-e?
I can’t get the coupon to print. What’s going on here?
My stomach has been hurting since I started taking SAM-e? Is this normal?
My son/daughter is very moody. Is SAM-e OK for teenagers or children?
Is SAM-e safe to take with Birth Control Pills?
Is SAM-e Complete the same as Mood Plus?
Is SAM-e safe to take with prescription drugs and other supplements?
A number of visitors to SAM-e.com have asked if they can take SAM-e with their particular prescription medication. SAM-e is safe to take with many prescription medications. However, it’s always a good idea to share your list of prescriptions and supplements with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure you receive personalized advice.
Does SAM-e have side effects?
SAM-e is a naturally occurring molecule in the body; taking a SAM-e supplement has little or no side effects and is considered safe for most people.
Why do people supplement with SAM-e?
A: SAM-e is a supplement used to help regain a healthy mood. See “How Does SAM-e Work?” for more information. SAM-e is what’s known as a “methyl donor,” which means it helps other chemicals in the body do their jobs effectively. SAM-e helps with the production of neurotransmitters in the body such as serotonin and dopamine that contribute to mood health.
Because SAM-e helps support a variety of processes in your body, it has a number of vital functions in addition to healthy mood support including to promote joint health.
What are the ingredients of SAM-e?
The main ingredient in Nature Made SAM-e Complete is SAM-e. The full list of ingredients in our 400mg product is as follows:
- SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine Tosylate Disulfate) 400 mg*
- Cellulose Gel
- Methacrylic Acid Copolymer
- Glycerol Behenate
- Talc
- Triethyl Citrate
- Magnesium Stearate
- Silicon Dioxide
- Titanium Dioxide (artificial color)
- Mannitol
- Glycerol Palmitostearate
- Medium Chain Triglycerides
- Sodium Starch Glycolate
It may also contain Yellow 5 and Iron Oxide.
*Daily Value not established
Nature Made was the first company to bring SAM-e to the United States in 1999. Many consider our product the gold standard in terms of quality, and Nature Made’s SAM-e product is the product most frequently used in clinical studies.
Is SAM-e right for me?
Many of the questions we’ve received have been around whether SAM-e is right for a person of a particular age or gender. Generally speaking, SAM-e can be used by anyone (with the exceptions listed below).
Both men and women can benefit equally from taking a SAM-e supplement. While age is one of the reasons that may cause SAM-e levels to run low in your body, people of most any age can use SAM-e. If you have a particularly rare condition, or meet the criteria listed below, please consult with a doctor before taking SAM-e.
CAUTIONS with SAM-e:
Pregnant or nursing women should consult with a doctor before taking a SAM-e supplement.
People who are taking medications for depression (like MAO Inhibitors and SSRIs), or who suffer from anxiety or bipolar disorder, should also consult with a doctor before taking SAM-e.
Please take our Mood Quiz to find out if SAM-e is right for you, or read this article about the functions of SAM-e.
Is SAM-e like St. John’s Wort?
SAM-e is different from St. John’s Wort. St. John’s Wort is a natural herb, SAM-e is a naturally occurring compound found in the human body. While both are used to maintain a healthy mood, a SAM-e supplement is used to replenish naturally occurring SAM-e found in the human body. NOTE: SAM-e and St. John’s Wort should not be taken together.
For more information about St. John’s Wort, please see the Nature Made product page for St. John’s Wort.
Can I get a free sample of SAM-e?
Please feel free to download the coupon we have provided in order to enjoy savings on SAM-e at most retailers.
I can’t get the coupon to print. What’s going on here?
First, be sure you’ve installed the coupon printer. The system will automatically ask you to do this if you’ve never printed Nature Made coupons before. Next, make sure you’re using a supported browser. These include Safari for the Mac and Internet Explorer (5.5 or later), Netscape (7 or later) or Firefox for PCs running on Windows 2000 or above.
If you’re still having trouble, you can request that a coupon be mailed to you by clicking here.
My stomach has been hurting since I started taking SAM-e? Is this normal?
Mild upset stomach is a possible side effect when taking SAM-e, however, it is more likely to occur at higher doses. It is recommended to start with 400 mg of SAM-e per day and increase the dosage gradually, as side effects of upset stomach usually disappear after a few weeks. If you continue to experience these effects when taking SAM-e on an empty stomach, you can try taking it with a small meal or snack. However, please note that taking SAM-e with food may decrease its effectiveness.
My son/daughter is very moody. Is SAM-e OK for teenagers or children?
For young adults, 12-18 yrs old, it is recommended to start with a lower dose of 200 mg, and gradually increase as needed. Children 11 yrs old and under should only use SAM-e under a doctor’s supervision.
Is SAM-e safe to take with Birth Control Pills?
SAM-e is fine to take with birth control pills. There is some evidence that birth control pills decrease folic acid and B12 in the body—two B vitamins needed for the proper synthesis of SAM-e. Therefore, a daily multivitamin is recommended for women taking birth control pills and SAM-e.
Is SAM-e only for women?
No, SAM-e is not only for women. SAM-e is for adult men and women suffering from low mood. It can help replenish the body’s level of SAM-e and restore emotional well-being and a natural good mood.
Is SAM-e Complete the same as Mood Plus?
Yes, Nature Made SAM-e Complete is the same product as Nature Made Mood Plus. After speaking to consumers, we changed the name because many of you felt that SAM-e Complete better reflected the product benefits. Rest assured, no changes to the product formulation were made.
