Selegiline
Description
Selegiline is used to control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, a disorder of the nervous system that causes difficulties with movement, muscle control, and balance. It does not cure the disorder but may improve the symptoms of shakiness, muscle stiffness, and loss of movement that occurs when the effects of other medicines decrease with time. It is used in combination with other drugs like levodopa to improve the range of mobility and the ability to walk, dress, and do exercises.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Selegiline
- Uncontrolled muscle movements
- Blurred vision
- Convulsions
- Decreased urine output
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Headache
Uses of Selegiline
What is it prescribed for?
- Parkinson's disease
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 1 hour of administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for 24-72 hours after the administration of the dose.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to selegiline.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Dose per day
Do not use Selegiline more than the daily prescribed dose of 10 mg/day. Overdosing with this medicine may cause serious, life-threatening side effects.
Orthostatic hypotension
Selegiline may cause hypotension (low blood pressure) and fainting while suddenly getting up from a sitting or a lying position. Patients should get up slowly to avoid these side effects.
Drowsiness
Selegiline my cause dizziness or drowsiness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery while receiving this medicine.
Missed Dose
If a dose of Selegiline is missed, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. If it is almost the time for the next dose, continue with the normal dosing schedule. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact a doctor immediately if symptoms of overdose such as drowsiness, dizziness, fainting, or a severe headache occur.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Linezolid
5-Hydroxytryptophan
Amoxapine
Anaesthetics
Disease interactions
Hypotension
This medicine should be used with caution due to an increased risk of very low blood pressure. This risk is especially higher in patients receiving high blood pressure medicines. Close monitoring of blood pressure in necessary while receiving this medicine. Report any symptoms of hypotension such as lightheadedness or fainting to the doctor on priority.
Psychotic disorders
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with psychotic disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the condition.
Renal Dysfunction
Selegiline is not recommended for use in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl less than 30 ml/min). Higher doses of this medicine may cause renal disorders. Close monitoring of kidney function is recommended while receiving this medicine.
Food interactions
Using Selegiline along with foods rich in tyramine like aged or processed cheese, red wine, fruits like banana, avocados, dietary supplements, yogurt, and caffeine should be avoided due to the increased risk of hypertensive crisis. Report any symptoms such as a sudden, severe headache; difficulty thinking; seizures; or chest pain to the doctor immediately. Your dietitian/doctor may suggest appropriate changes in your diet based on your clinical condition.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Selegiline as instructed by the doctor. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller quantities than prescribed. Close monitoring of kidney function and blood pressure is necessary while receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Selegiline works by blocking the breakdown of and thus increasing the amount of dopamine, a natural substance present in the brain which is needed to control movements of the body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Monoamine oxidase type B inhibitors (MAOBI)
Schedule
N/A
Selegiline: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 27 July 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - SELEGILINE HYDROCHLORIDE- selegiline hydrochloride tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 27 July 2017]. Available from:
Selegiline - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 27 July 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 27 July 2017]. Available from:
Selegiline [Internet]. Livertox.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 27 July 2017]. Available from:
Selegiline [Internet]. Snomedbrowser.com. 2017 [cited 27 July 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 7 Aug 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.