Table 2 Summary of efficacy and tolerability data
Study | SAMe sample | Control sample | MD SAMe | MD control | Efficacy | Side effects | Response method | Response rate SAMe | Response rate control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Caruso 1984 [36] | 25 | 24 | 11.4 (7.7) | 2.9 (6.4) | SAMe better than placebo | Not reported | NR | NR | NR |
Kagan 1990 [37] | 9 | 6 | 16.2 (6.9) | 7.3 (14.3) | SAMe better than placebo | Mild side effects only, resolved spontaneously | NR | NR | NR |
Berlanga 1992 [38] | 20 | 20 | 13.7 (4.6) | 9.6 (6.2) | SAMe + IMI better than placebo + IMI | Typical anticholinergic effects of IMI (mild). Mild weight gain | Reduction HAM ≥ 50% | 65 | 45 |
Papakostas 2010 [39] * | 24 | 31 | 11.1 (6.1) | 15.8 (6.2) | SAMe + SRI better than placebo + SRI | Slightly higher mean supine systolic blood pressure in the treatment group | Reduction HAM ≥ 50% | 75.0 | 12.9 |
Delle Chiaie 2002a [40] | 143 | 135 | 12.6 (8.1) | 13.1 (8.6) | SAMe equal to imipramine | Dry mouth, constipation, and tachycardia. More frequent IMI | Reduction HAM ≥ 50% | 51 | 57 |
Delle Chiaie 2002b [40] | 146 | 147 | 12.6 (8.0) | 13.1 (7.1) | SAMe equal to imipramine | Reduction HAM ≥ 50% | 58.9 | 50.3 | |
Mischoulon 2014a [41] | 36 | 31 | 6.19 (7.38) | 5.11 (6.92) | SAMe equal to placebo | Good tolerability. GI complaints | Reduction HAM ≥ 50% | 35 | 30 |
Mischoulon 2014b [41] | 36 | 30 | 6.19 (7.38) | 6.31 (6.98) | SAMe equal to escitalopram | Reduction HAM ≥ 50% | 35 | 34 | |
Sarris 2014a [42] | 18 | 16 | 7.31 (5.96) | 4.0 (5.6) | SAMe better than placebo | Interventions were well tolerated with no significant adverse effects | Reduction HAM ≥ 50% | 45 | 26 |
Sarris 2014b [42] | 18 | 20 | 7.31 (5.96) | 6.69 (5.7) | SAMe equal to escitalopram | Reduction HAM ≥ 50% | 45 | 31 | |
Sarris 2018 [43] | 37 | 39 | 11.4 (7.54) | 12.1 (7.02) | SAMe equal to placebo | Irritability, hot/cold flashes, cramping, confusion, headache, vertigo/dizziness, twitching, sleep difficulty and fatigue | Reduction MADRS ≥ 50% | 54.3 | 50 |