Selegiline

Selegiline is an irreversible inhibitor of Type B monoamine oxidase (MAO) which is prescribed to patients that have just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and can also be used in the palliative treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. It is prescribed in an attempt to delay the further progression of Parkinson’s and the need for levodopa therapy. In higher doses, selegiline is also prescribed to treat major depressive disorder (MDD).

Selegiline can be purchased in 1.25-milligram and 5-milligram tablets/capsules and are taken twice daily in order to help patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. There is also an option to take selegiline transdermally with patches that deliver either: 6-milligrams, 9-milligrams, or 12-milligrams over a period of 24 hours which is used to help patients suffering from major depressive disorders.

Side effects from taking the tablets include nausea, abdominal pain, dry mouth and dyskinesia (involuntary, erratic, writhing movements of the face, arms, legs or trunk). Transdermal users may find that there is a reaction on the application site of the patch.

Patients taking selegiline must be closely monitored in the starting months of the prescription. This is in order to recognise any changes in behaviour in the patients especially when they are under the age of 24. The patient’s family must communicate any rapid changes in behaviour to their healthcare provider. This drug is not approved for use in pediatric patients (≤16)