I have been positive for 4 years, taking Atripla and doing well: undetectable VL, CD4 ranges between 300-400. I have been a little depressed lately and my doc prescribed Zoloft 50mg/day. It doesn't seem to be working. I've been on it for a month. Some friends have been talking about a supplement called SAM-e. I can't seem to get a good answer on its effectiveness and safety.

Are you familiar with it ? Does it help ? Is it safe ?

Thanks !

PS - Love this site and all of the great advice and insight on HIV. PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK !

Thank you for writing. Congratulations on your good numbers. Depression is a common feature that seems to intensify and abate in persons living with HIV/AIDS, often for no apparent reason. Zoloft (and other SSRIs) have a good track record managing symptoms. This class of medications does take weeks to achieve baseline levels, so you might consider waiting a little longer before assuming it is not effective.

SAM-E (S-adenosylmethionine) does appear to have some effectiveness in reducing symptoms of depression. Here is a link to one study in 2004 in persons living with HIV. Check with your physician about how it might interact with your medications. There have not really been enough studies to determine either its efficacy or safety.

Take care, David

http://www.acria.org/files/sam-e.pdf