Selegiline

Uses of Selegiline

Selegiline prevents the breakdown of a chemical in your brain called dopamine. Low levels of this chemical are associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Selegiline is used together with other medicines to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Precautions and Warnings

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take selegiline.

• Selegiline
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific selegiline products they stock.

Drug Interactions. Selegiline should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking selegiline, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if selegiline is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Unusual Urges. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of any intense urges, such as gambling or sexual urges. Selegiline may increase such urges.

Pregnancy. Selegiline may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if selegiline passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take selegiline while breastfeeding.

Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Parkinson’s Disease: 5 mg orally twice a day taken at breakfast and lunch. Maximum dose: 10 mg orally per day
Usual Adult Dose for Depression: Initial dose: 6 mg/24 hours patch applied topically once a day

Side Effects

Common side effects:

• dizziness;
• nausea, stomach pain, constipation;
• skin rash or other irritation;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• mouth sores or ulcers, pain with swallowing (while using selegiline orally disintegrating tablets).