What is this medicine?
SELEGILINE (se LE ji leen) is an monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). It is used with levodopa-carbidopa in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It is usually added to therapy when there is a decrease in response to levodopa.
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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
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They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-frequently drink alcohol-containing beverages
-kidney disease
-liver disease
-an unusual or allergic reaction to selegiline, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
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Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
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If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
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Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
-other medicines containing selegiline, like Emsam
-altretamine
-atomoxetine
-caffeine
-carbamazepine
-certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
-cocaine
-dextromethorphan
-diphenoxylate
-ephedrine
-fluoxetine
-herbal medicines like ginseng, green tea, guarana, SAM-e, and St. John's Wort
-isoniazid
-linezolid
-local anesthetics
-MAOIs like Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-medicines for migraine headaches
-meperidine
-methylene blue
-procarbazine
-pseudoephedrine
-rasagiline
-stimulants like amphetamine, dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate
-tramadol
-tryptophan
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
-medicines for high blood pressure
-prescription pain medicines
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
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Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It can take up to 4 weeks to see the full effects of this medicine. Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine. This may make your condition worse or cause withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice about gradually reducing your dosage. Even after you stop taking this medicine the effects can last for at least two weeks.
Patients and their families should watch out for depression or thoughts of suicide that get worse. Also watch out for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of antidepressant treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.
This medicine can interact with certain foods that contain high amounts of tyramine. The combination may cause severe headaches, a rise in blood pressure, or irregular heart beat. Foods that contain significant amounts of tyramine include aged cheeses, meats and fish (especially aged, smoked, pickled, or processed such as bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage), beer and ale, alcohol-free beer, wine (especially red), sherry, hard liquor, liqueurs, avocados, bananas, figs, raisins, soy sauce, miso soup, yeast/protein extracts, bean curd, fava or broad bean pods, or any over-ripe fruit. Ask your doctor or health care professional, pharmacist, or nutritionist for a complete listing of tyramine-containing foods.
You may get drowsy, dizzy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may increase dizziness or drowsiness. Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking this medicine.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, flu or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Do not take any medications for weight loss without advice either. Some ingredients in these products may increase possible side effects.
This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.
Tell your health care professional that you are taking this medicine if you are scheduled to have any surgery, procedure or medical testing.
There have been reports of increased sexual urges or other strong urges such as gambling while taking some medicines for Parkinson's disease. If you experience any of these urges while taking this medicine, you should report it to your health care provider as soon as possible.
You should check your skin often for changes to moles and new growths while taking this medicine. Call your doctor if you notice any of these changes.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
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Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
-allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
-angry, excitable, panic attack, mania, restless
-breathing problems
-chest pain
-difficulty passing urine
-eyes more sensitive to light, enlarged pupils
-feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
-fever, clammy skin, increased sweating, sore throat
-high blood pressure
-irregular heartbeat
-muscle or neck stiffness or spasm
-seizures
-suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
-trouble sleeping
-yellowing of the skin or eyes
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
-change in sex drive or performance
-constipation or diarrhea
-increased appetite or weight increase
-increased sensitivity to sunlight
-muscle aches or pains, trembling
-nausea or vomiting
-swelling of the feet or legs
-tired or weak
Where should I keep my medicine?
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Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Information on use before, during and after pregnancy.
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FIRST Trimester
Class C - Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. OR No animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
SECOND Trimester
Class C - Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. OR No animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
THIRD Trimester
Class C - Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. OR No animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Lactation
Caution - Not enough information is available to rule out harm to infants when this drug is taken by nursing mothers.
