Medication: S-adenosylmethionine

Your cat has been prescribed the active ingredient S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) as a nutritional supplement in the management of liver disease or to support brain health (cognitive dysfunction). 

Key points:
• Nutritional supplement.
• Do not split or crush tablets.
• SAMe is an unregulated product. Stick to the brand your veterinarian has prescribed and be alert for product quality variations if switching brands.
• SAMe is unstable in acid and water environments. Do not mix tablets in water or acidic solutions.
• Dosage: administer tablet(s) on an empty stomach once or twice daily.

This information sheet is designed to help answer commonly asked questions and help you give the medication safely and effectively to your pet. It does not contain all available information for this medication. If you have other questions or need more information, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.Always follow the dosing instructions provided by your veterinarian. 

Name

• S-adenosylmethionine (ESS-ah-DEN-oh-seel meth-EYE-oh-neen).

Brand name

• Denosyl®.
• Novifit®.
• Vetri-SAMe®.
• Zentonil®.
• Denamarin®.

Class of drug

• Nutraceutical.
• Nutritional supplement.

Storage

• Store in a cool, dry place as the tablets are sensitive to moisture and extreme heat.
• The tablets should not be split or crumbled and should not be mixed with water or acidic solutions ahead of time.

Your veterinarian has prescribed S-adenosylmethionine to manage hepatic and hepatobiliary disease. It can also be prescribed to support brain health including management of cognitive dysfunction.

S-adenosylmethionine increases the amount of glutathione, a potent antioxidant that protects and maintains liver function. SAMe should only be administered under the supervision and guidance of a veterinarian.

S-adenosylmethionine is given orally on an empty stomach. Administering SAMe after a meal has been shown to decrease its absorption, so giving the tablets after an overnight fast is preferred, otherwise 1 hour prior to or 2 hours after a meal. Enteric-coated or chewable tablets are available, and the tablets must not be split or crushed to protect them from moisture. The size of tablet closest to the calculated dose should be administered. A small amount of water (5-6 ml) should be given to cats after administering tablets to prevent them from sticking to esophageal mucosa and causing irritation.  

S-adenosylmethionine is well-tolerated but mild gastrointestinal upset has been reported. There are no reported drug interactions.

SAMe is an unregulated product. Analysis of available SAMe products has revealed up to a 3-fold variance in strength compared to label claims. 

Some cats will only be prescribed S-adenosylmethionine for a brief period, others for longer periods depending on the individual response.

Dispose of any unused S-adenosylmethionine safely – don't flush down the toilet or sink. Ask your veterinary team if they take back medication for disposal. Do not save S-adenosylmethionine for future use or give to other pets.

If it is suspected that any of the dose has been lost or if vomiting occurs within 2 hours of administration, re-dose with another full dose. If you miss a dose, give the dose as soon as possible but do not double up a dose. Make sure the dose given does not exceed the total recommended amount in any 24-hour period.

If your pet is unwell, contact your veterinarian for advice.

S-adenosylmethionine should only be given to the cat that it has been prescribed for:

• Do not give to other pets in the household
• Safety in breeding, pregnant or lactating cats has not been established
• If accidentally given to other pets, contact your veterinarian for advice.

If accidentally eaten by a human, speak to your primary care physician or poison control center.

Your veterinarian will recommend follow-up examinations, and blood tests to monitor your cat's liver function.

Further information

If you have any concerns, further information on S-adenosylmethionine can be found on the package insert and the following websites:

USA

• Denosyl®. Website: /www.denosyl.com/
• Nutramax Laboratories, Inc Denosyl®: datasheets.scbt.com/sc-362398.pdf 
• Vetoquinol Zentonil® Advanced. Website: www.vetoquinol.ca/eng/products/zentonil-advanced

Always follow the recommended dosage and contact your veterinary team or pharmacist if you have any questions regarding your cat’s medication.