Question 1

What is Selegiline?

Accepted Answer

Selegiline is a medication classified as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). It functions by slowing the breakdown of specific natural substances in the brain, such as dopamine, which are necessary for the regulation of physical movement and coordination.

By increasing the availability of these chemical messengers, the medication helps support the brain's ability to control muscle activity. It is primarily used to enhance the management of motor-related symptoms as part of a broader treatment approach.

Question 2

What is Selegiline used for?

Accepted Answer

Selegiline is used to treat Parkinson disease (adjunct to levodopa ).

Question 3

How does Selegiline work?

Accepted Answer

Mechanism of Action

Selegiline belongs to a class of medications known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). It specifically targets and blocks the activity of an enzyme in the brain called monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B).

The primary role of the MAO-B enzyme is to break down dopamine, a chemical messenger that the brain uses to control muscle movement and coordination. In people with Parkinson's disease, there is a shortage of dopamine in certain areas of the brain. By blocking the enzyme that destroys dopamine, selegiline helps maintain higher levels of this chemical.

Selegiline affects the body in the following ways:

Dopamine Preservation: It slows the natural breakdown of dopamine already present in the brain.

Enhancing Other Treatments: When used with other Parkinson's medications like levodopa, selegiline helps those drugs work more effectively and for longer periods by protecting the dopamine they produce.

Neurotransmitter Regulation: In certain forms, such as the transdermal patch used for depression, selegiline also helps increase the levels of other mood-regulating chemicals, including serotonin and norepinephrine.

Question 4

What are the brand names for Selegiline?

Accepted Answer

Selegiline is sold under the brand names Eldepryl , Zelapar , and Emsam .

Question 5

What are the active ingredients in Selegiline?

Accepted Answer

The active ingredient in Selegiline is selegiline .

Question 6

What are the side effects of Selegiline?

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of Selegiline may include:

dizziness

nausea

dry mouth

and others

Always consult with a healthcare professional about potential side effects.

Question 7

What drug class is Selegiline?

Accepted Answer

Selegiline belongs to the MAO-B inhibitor drug class.

Question 8

What is the dosage of Selegiline and how do I take it?

Accepted Answer

How to Take Selegiline

Oral Capsules and Tablets

Standard capsules and tablets are typically taken twice a day, often timed with breakfast and lunch. It is important to follow the specific schedule provided by your healthcare provider.

Orally Disintegrating Tablets

This form of selegiline is usually taken once daily in the morning before breakfast. The tablet should be placed on top of the tongue and allowed to dissolve completely. It should not be swallowed whole or chewed. To ensure the medication is absorbed properly, do not eat or drink anything for a short period before or after taking the tablet. Use dry hands when handling the tablet and take it immediately after opening the blister pack.

Skin Patches

The transdermal patch is applied once every 24 hours. It should be placed on clean, dry, and intact skin on the upper chest, back, upper arm, or thigh. It is important to rotate the application site daily, avoiding the same spot for several days. Ensure the patch is applied at approximately the same time each day and check that it is firmly in place after application.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of selegiline, take or apply it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at once or use extra patches to make up for a missed dose.

Question 9

Is Selegiline safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Accepted Answer

Pregnancy

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of selegiline use in pregnant women. Research in animals has shown some adverse effects on the fetus when the drug was given at doses much higher than those used in humans. Because the risks to a human pregnancy are unknown, selegiline should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

If you become pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about the potential risks and benefits of using this medication.

Breastfeeding

It is not known whether selegiline is excreted in human breast milk. Because many drugs can pass into breast milk and potentially affect a nursing infant, caution is advised. There is also a possibility that selegiline could interfere with milk production by lowering prolactin levels.

Healthcare providers typically recommend weighing the benefits of breastfeeding against the potential risks to the infant before using selegiline while nursing.

Question 10

What forms and strengths does Selegiline come in?

Accepted Answer

Selegiline is produced in the following forms:

Oral Capsule: A standard capsule taken by mouth.

Oral Tablet: A conventional tablet taken by mouth.

Orally Disintegrating Tablet: A tablet designed to dissolve on the tongue.

Transdermal Patch: A patch applied to the skin that releases medication over a period of time.

Question 11

What is the FDA approval status of Selegiline?

Accepted Answer

The FDA has approved selegiline for different uses depending on the formulation:

Parkinson's Disease: Oral forms, including capsules, tablets, and orally disintegrating tablets, are approved as an add-on treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease who are already taking levodopa and carbidopa and are experiencing a decrease in the effectiveness of those medications.

Major Depressive Disorder: The transdermal patch formulation is FDA-approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults.

The transdermal patch formulation of selegiline carries a boxed warning, which is the FDA's most serious warning. This warning highlights an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults taking antidepressant medications. This formulation is not approved for use in pediatric patients.

Selegiline is a prescription-only medication and is not classified as a controlled substance. While the oral forms were initially approved for Parkinson's disease, the transdermal patch for depression received FDA approval in 2006. Patients must be monitored for clinical worsening and the emergence of suicidal thoughts when using the medication for depression.

Question 12

What should I know about Selegiline and withdrawal?

Accepted Answer

Risks of Stopping Selegiline

You should not stop taking selegiline or change your dosage without first consulting your healthcare provider. Abruptly discontinuing this medication can lead to a return of symptoms or specific withdrawal effects depending on the condition being treated.

Withdrawal Symptoms

When selegiline is used for depression, stopping the medication suddenly may lead to withdrawal symptoms. These can include:

Mood changes

Irritability

Sleep problems or insomnia

Worsening of Parkinson's

Symptoms

For individuals taking selegiline for Parkinson's disease, stopping the drug suddenly can cause symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty moving to become significantly worse. In rare instances, a sudden stop or rapid reduction in medications that affect dopamine levels can lead to a serious condition characterized by high fever, muscle rigidity, and confusion. To avoid these risks, doctors typically recommend a gradual reduction of the dose rather than stopping all at once.

Selegiline

Medication Quick Facts

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How It Works

Brand Names

Side Effects

Warnings & Precautions

Dosage & How to Take

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Forms & Strengths

FDA / Regulatory Status

Withdrawal Information

FAQ

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