Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: SELEGILINE(se-LE-ji-leen)
This medicine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) used for treating Parkinson disease in patients who are taking levodopa/carbidopa.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are taking fluoxetine or have taken it within the past 5 weeks. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are taking bupropion, buspirone, cyclobenzaprine, dextromethorphan, meperidine, methadone, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (eg, atomoxetine), propoxyphene, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) (eg, paroxetine), a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (eg, duloxetine, venlafaxine), St. John's wort, a tetracyclic antidepressant (eg, mirtazapine), tramadol, or a tricyclic antidepressant (eg, amitriptyline), or if you have taken any of these medicines within the past 7 days. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are using another form of selegiline; another MAOI (eg, phenelzine); a sympathomimetic, including an amphetamine, a cold product, or certain diet pills or preparations (eg, ephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine); or sibutramine, or if you have taken any of these medicines within the past 7 days. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are taking a 5-HT1 agonist (eg, sumatriptan), apraclonidine, carbamazepine, methylphenidate, oxcarbazepine, or nefazodone. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking tryptophan, insulin, a meglitinide antidiabetic (eg, nateglinide), or sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide). IF YOUR DOCTOR TELLS YOU TO STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE, you will need to wait at least 14 days before beginning to take certain other medicines. Ask your doctor if you are unsure when you should start to take your new medicines after you have stopped taking this medicine. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including if you have a history of bipolar disorder, mania, mood or mental problems, suicidal thoughts or attempts, uncontrolled muscle movements (eg, twitching of the face and tongue, involuntary movements of the arms and legs), a history of ulcer, heart problems, recent heart attack, seizures, blood problems, a metabolism disorder, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you will be undergoing elective surgery with general anesthesia or will be receiving cocaine or local anesthesia containing sympathomimetic vasoconstrictors; or if you have certain adrenal gland problems (pheochromocytoma). Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. TAKE THIS MEDICINE with food. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Continue to take this medicine even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. LAB TESTS may be performed while you use this medicine to monitor your condition or check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LAB APPOINTMENTS. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS, DIZZINESS, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, OR FAINTING; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. Use this medicine with caution. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS until you know how you react to it. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL while you are using this medicine. DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP using this medicine. The risk of side effects may be increased if this medicine is suddenly stopped. Check with your doctor before you change your dose or stop this medicine. DO NOT BECOME OVERHEATED in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur. SOME PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED new, unusual, or increased urges (eg, gambling, sexual) while using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you notice such effects. PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON DISEASE HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF DEVELOPING a certain type of skin cancer (melanoma). It is not known if this medicine may contribute to the increased risk of melanoma. You may need to have regular skin exams while you are using this medicine. SEROTONIN SYNDROME is a possibly fatal syndrome that can occur if you take this medicine with certain other medicines (eg, dextromethorphan, SSRIs). Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; hallucinations; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; excessive sweating; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms. EATING FOODS HIGH IN TYRAMINE while you use an MAOI may cause severe high blood pressure. This could occur for up to 2 weeks after you stop taking an MAOI. DO NOT EAT FOODS HIGH IN TYRAMINE while you take this medicine. Ask your health care provider for a complete list of foods you should avoid. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AT ONCE if symptoms of severe high blood pressure occur. These may include severe headache, fast or irregular heartbeat, sore or stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sweating, enlarged pupils, or sensitivity to light. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take this medicine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Use this medicine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you use this medicine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include dizziness; dry mouth; lightheadedness; nausea; stomach pain; or vivid dreams. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience abnormal thinking; changes in sexual ability or desire; chest pain; confusion; dark or unusual growths on the skin or any skin changes; enlarged pupils; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; increased sweating; memory loss; nausea; neck stiffness or soreness; new or worsening agitation, aggressiveness, anxiety, depression, exaggerated feeling of well-being, hostility, impulsiveness, inability to sit still, irritability, panic attacks, or sleeplessness; rigid muscles; sensitivity to light; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; suicidal thoughts or actions; swelling of the arms or legs; tremor; unusual or intense urges (eg, gambling, sexual); or vomiting. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may be delayed for up to 12 hours and may include agitation, cold or clammy skin, confusion, unusual drowsiness, excitement, fever, flushing, fast heartbeat, severe headache, irritability, loss of consciousness, restlessness, severe dizziness, slow breathing, seizures, sweating, and weakness.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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