Side Effects of Selegiline
Type of Drug
Monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor, (MAOI); drug used to treat Parkinson's disease.
How the Drug Works
Selegiline prolongs the anti-Parkinson activity of levodopa and interferes with normal enzyme activities.
Uses
To treat Parkinson disease in conjunction with levodopa/carbidopa in patients whose response to levodopa/carbidopa is deteriorating. There is no evidence that it has any benefit without the concurrent use of levodopa.
Tyramine-containing foods: Avoid foods which can interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (is ocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcy promine).
Precautions
Pregnancy: There are no adequate or well-controlled studies in pregnant women. It is not known if this drug can harm the fetus or interfere with reproduction. Use only if clearly needed and if potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Breastfeeding: It is not known if selegiline appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.
Children: Safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor or pharmacist: if you are pregnant, are planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding; and if you are taking, will be taking, or stop taking any prescrition or nonprescription medications or dietary supplements. Dosage of levodopa may need to be decreased after you begin taking selegiline.
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Contraceptives, oral (eg,OrthoNovum)
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Meperidine (eg, Demeral)
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SSRls (eg, fluoxetine)
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Sympathomimetics (eg, ephedrine)
- Tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitrptyline)
Side Effects
Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many selegiline users experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:
Other: Increased or decreased urination (especially at night); difficult urination.
Digestive Tract: Nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; constipation; loss of appetite; stomach pain; heartburn; difficulty swallowing; dry mouth.
Nervous System: Weakness; confusion; anxiety; dreams and nightmares; headache; depression; affected speech; tremor; restlessness; sleeplessness; involuntary or abnormal movements; agitation; loss of balance; spasms of eyelid; hallucinations.
Circulatoty System: Dizziness when arising quickly from a seated or lying position (orthostatic hypotension); changes in blood pressure; pounding of the chest (palpitations); irregular pulse; angina (chest pain); irregular heartbeats; fainting.
Respiratory System: Shortness of breath; asthma.
Skin: Increased sweating; hair loss; sensitivity to sunlight; facial hair growth; rash; bruising.
Guidelines for Use
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Dosage is individualized.
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To avoid interference with sleep, take as a single dose with breakfast or in 2 divided doses with breakfast and lunch.
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Do not exceed the recommended daily dose of 10 mg.
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Dosage of levodopa may need to be decreased after the patient begins to take selegiline. Discuss this possibility with your doctor. Do not change the dosage unless advised to do so by your doctor.
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Immediately report any severe headaches or unusual symptoms to your doctor.
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Do not change the dose or stop taking unless advised to do so by your doctor.
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Store at controlled room temperature (59° to 86°F)