What is Selegiline?
Selegiline treats Parkinson’s disease and major depressive disorder.
People with Parkinson’s have low levels of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that helps with smooth and controlled movement.
People who are allergic to selegiline should not take it. It is also dangerous to use this drug with certain strong painkillers like meperidine or other opioids because it can cause serious reactions in the body.
Inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking to avoid harmful drug interactions. Taking selegiline with the wrong medications can be life-threatening.
Besides treating humans, selegiline is also commonly used in dogs. Veterinarians often use it for older dogs that show signs of memory loss and confusion, a condition known as canine cognitive dysfunction. This condition in dogs is similar to dementia in humans.
Selegiline helps improve alertness, behavior, and quality of life in senior dogs.
It may also help dogs with Cushing’s disease, a condition that affects hormone levels.
How Does Selegiline Work?
Selegiline belongs to a class of drugs known as monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitors. These drugs work by stopping the breakdown of dopamine, which helps more of it stay in the brain.
This helps improve movement and control the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Doctors usually give selegiline to people who are already taking another ingredient called levodopa/carbidopa, also known as Sinemet.
This combination works better than using levodopa/carbidopa alone, especially when the effects of the medication start to fade between doses.
Selegiline can help reduce off-time, which is when symptoms return between doses of levodopa. It can also help people need less levodopa overall.
Selegiline Dose and Administration
The usual selegiline dose for individuals is 10 mg per day, divided into two 5 mg doses taken at breakfast and lunch.
Taking higher doses does not lead to more benefits and can increase the risk of side effects.
Selegiline comes in different forms, such as tablets, capsules, oral disintegrating tablets (ODT), and skin patches. The right dose and form depend on the condition being treated and the person’s health status.
The selegiline dose for dogs is based on body weight and is usually given once a day.
Dosage Form and Strengths of Selegiline
- 5 mg oral tablets (usually taken twice a day)
- 5 mg capsules (same dosage as tablets)
- 1.25 mg oral disintegrating tablet (ODT) taken once daily
- 6 mg, 9 mg, and 12 mg transdermal patches
Selegiline Dosage Chart
| Use | Form | Dose |
| Parkinson’s disease | Tablet or capsule | 5 mg in the morning and at lunch |
| Parkinson’s disease (ODT) | Oral disintegrating tablet | 1.25 mg once daily before meal |
| Major depressive disorder | Transdermal patch | 6 mg/24 h patch, applied daily |
| Selegiline dose for dogs | Oral tablet | 0.5 to 1 mg per kg once daily |
How to Take Selegiline?
- Take tablets or capsules with breakfast and lunch
- Take ODT in the morning before breakfast
- Do not eat or drink 5 minutes before and after taking ODT
- Use dry hands to peel back the blister pack
- Do not push ODT through foil; place it on top of the tongue
- For patches, apply once daily to clean, dry skin on the upper arm, torso, or thigh
- Do not cut the patch or apply it to broken skin
- Follow your doctor or pharmacist’s directions exactly
Selegiline Overdose
A selegiline overdose can cause a sudden rise in blood pressure, which may lead to serious problems.
Signs of overdose may include a fast heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, or fainting. If someone takes more than the prescribed selegiline dose or shows unusual symptoms, get emergency help right away.
For dogs, giving more than the prescribed selegiline dose may cause restlessness, vomiting, or changes in behavior.
Selegiline Side Effects
Many people experience side effects when taking selegiline, such as dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, or trouble sleeping.
Other people may feel nauseous, have headaches, or feel lightheaded when standing up. Some side effects of selegiline can be more serious, such as a sudden spike in blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, confusion, or seeing things that are not real.
The patch form of selegiline can cause skin irritation, while the dissolving tablet may bother the inside of the mouth.
On the other hand, selegiline dog side effects may include restlessness, vomiting, and behavior changes.
Common Side Effects
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Trouble sleeping
- Skin redness from a patch
- Mouth irritation from the dissolving tablet
Severe Side Effects
- High blood pressure (especially when taken with tyramine-rich foods)
- Sudden sleep attacks
- Irregular heartbeat
- Confusion or mood changes
- Hallucinations
- Shaking or stiff muscles (extrapyramidal symptoms)
- Trouble controlling movement (dyskinesia)
- Serotonin syndrome (a dangerous buildup of brain chemicals)
- Liver enzyme increase (usually mild)
- Manic episodes in people with mood disorders
Selegiline Warnings and Precautions
- People who are allergic to selegiline should not use it, as this can lead to serious reactions.
- Selegiline warnings include avoiding the use of this drug with meperidine or other similar pain relievers because this can cause dangerous side effects.
- Taking more than the recommended selegiline dose can remove its selectivity and lead to high blood pressure or other serious problems.
- Eating foods high in tyramine, such as aged cheese or cured meats, while taking selegiline can cause sudden and severe spikes in blood pressure.
- Combining selegiline with tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may lead to serious reactions, including muscle stiffness, agitation, confusion, or coma.
- At least 14 days should pass after stopping selegiline before starting these other drugs to avoid harmful interactions.
- Fluoxetine stays in the body longer, so at least five weeks should pass before starting selegiline after stopping fluoxetine.
- Selegiline can increase the effects of levodopa, which may cause more side effects like uncontrolled movements or hallucinations. Lowering the levodopa dose may help.
- Not all side effects of selegiline are known, so doctors must monitor patients for any unusual symptoms or reactions.
- People with Parkinson’s disease have a higher risk of melanoma. Regular skin checks are advised during selegiline treatment.
- Patients should not take more than 10 mg of selegiline per day and should be informed about the risks of eating certain foods while on this drug.
- Sudden urges like gambling or increased sexual behavior have been reported while taking drugs like selegiline. Patients should tell their doctor if this happens.
- Doctors may reduce the dose or stop selegiline if these strong urges develop during treatment.
- Selegiline side effects and interactions can include reactions with meperidine, tricyclic antidepressants, and serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These may lead to serious symptoms.
- No special lab tests are required, but regular doctor visits and checkups are important while taking selegiline.
- Studies in animals show possible risks to unborn babies. Selegiline should only be used in pregnancy if truly needed.
- It is not known if selegiline passes into breast milk. Doctors may suggest stopping breastfeeding if treatment is needed.
- Selegiline is not approved for children. Its safety in pediatric use has not been studied.
- Selegiline side effects in dogs are also a concern and include restlessness, upset stomach, or behavioral changes. Pets on this drug must be watched closely.
Selegiline Interactions
Selegiline can interact with other drugs and cause serious health problems. Some combinations may lead to high fever, confusion, muscle stiffness, or changes in blood pressure.
Avoid these drug combinations to stay safe while using selegiline.
- Meperidine
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Sympathomimetic drugs like ephedrine
- Other monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Alternative Medications to Selegiline
If you are using selegiline and it does not work well for you or causes side effects, you have other options.
You and your doctor can talk about switching to a different treatment that may work better or be safer. These branded and generic options can help manage depression, Parkinson’s disease, or other related conditions.
- Rexulti
- Zoloft
- Cymbalta
- Escitalopram
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Citalopra
- Wellbutrin XL
- Trintellix
- Sinemet
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Disclaimer
Pharma Giant provides medical information to help you better understand medications and medical conditions.This content is for informational use only and does not replace advice from a licensed medical practitioner. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting or changing any medication. All our partners follow strict safety standards set by their country’s health authorities to make sure you receive safe and high-quality medications.
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