Selegiline: Uses, Side Effects, Dose etc

Selegiline is an enzyme blocker (MAO inhibitor) that works by slowing the breakdown of specific organic chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin)

Selegiline Uses

• This medicine is used in the treatment of movement disorders brought on by Parkinson’s disease.
• It doesn’t heal Parkinson’s disease, but it might enhance shakiness (tremor), muscle stiffness, and loss of regular motion.
• abrupt switching between regular motion and stiffness (“on-off” issues )
• It might enhance your assortment of movement and ability to walk, dress, and workout.
• Selegiline is typically utilized in conjunction with other medications (e.g., levodopa, carbidopa).

Mechanism

Selegiline prevents the breakdown of a chemical in your brain called dopamine. Low levels of the chemical are related to Parkinson’s disease.

Selegiline binds to MAO-B inside the nigrostriatal pathways in the central nervous system, thus obstructing the microsomal metabolism of dopamine and also improving the dopaminergic action in the significant nigra.

Selegiline can also increase dopaminergic activity through mechanisms Aside from inhibition of MAO-B.

Selegiline Side effects

Common side effects include

• Nausea;
• Abdominal pain,
• skin rash or other distress;
• Sleep problems (insomnia);
• Mouth blisters or sores,
• Pain with swallowing.

Call your doctor if you feel these side effects.

• Difficulty breathing;
• Tremors or uncontrolled muscle movements;
• A light-headed sense, like you could pass ;
• Confusion, hallucinations, strange thoughts or behavior;
• Worsening side effects of your other drugs;
• Elevated levels of dopamine in the body (when shot with an antidepressant)–agitation, fever, quick heartbeat, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, nausea,
• Intense headache,
• Blurred vision,
• thumping on your ears or neck,
• Nervousness,
• lack of coordination, fainting, or
• dangerously substantial blood pressure
• Nausea, vomiting,
• Acute chest discomfort,
• Pounding heartbeats or seizures (convulsions).
• shortness of breath
• You might have improved sexual urges, strange urges to gamble, or other extreme urges while taking this medication. Speak to your physician if this happens.

Precautions

Prior to taking selegiline,

• Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you’re allergic to selegiline or some other drugs.
• Tell your doctor if you’re taking, have lately taken, or intend to take some of these prescription and nonprescription medicines: dextromethorphan, meperidine, methadone, propoxyphene, tramadol. Your physician may tell you not to take selegiline if you’re taking or have recently taken one of these drugs.
• If you stop taking selegiline, your physician may tell you not to take these drugs till at least 14 days have passed since you continue selegiline.
• Your physician might have to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• You ought to be aware that selegiline can lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying posture. To prevent this issue, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the ground for several minutes prior to standing up.
• Don’t use it if you have phenylketonuria.

Use in pregnancy and Breastfeeding.

• This medication isn’t suggested to be used in pregnant women unless completely needed. Discuss each of the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider before taking this medication.
• This medication isn’t suggested for use in breastfeeding women. Your physician may prescribe an alternate medicine according to your medical condition.

Interactions

Don’t take the following medications while using selegiline and for two weeks after quitting selegiline:

• Medications tramadol, methadone, or propoxyphene
• St. John’s wort (a herbal supplement)
• Other medications to treat depression (antidepressants), like other MAOI medications
• Carbamazepine, or other medications that include carbamazepine (a seizure medication ), oxcarbazepine or other medications that include, oxcarbazepine (a seizure medication )
• Meperidine or medications that include meperidine (a narcotic pain medication ) or the pain
• Cold or cough preparations which contain dextromethorphan
• Flexeril or alternative medications that include cyclobenzaprine (a medication used to treat muscle aches )
• Over-the-counter diet pills or herbal weight-loss products
• Decongestant medications, found in several products to treat cold symptoms
• Medications called amphetamines, also known as stimulants or buspirone, are anxiety medications.
• Any herbal or dietary supplement that Includes tyramine.

Selegiline Dose

• Initiate therapy with 1.25 mg given once per day for at least six months.
• After six weeks, the dose could be increased to 2.5 mg given once per day when a desirable benefit hasn’t yet been attained and the patient is tolerating selegiline.
• There’s no evidence that doses greater than 2.5 milligrams per day supply extra advantage, and they ought to ordinarily be avoided due to the potential increased risk of adverse events.
• Take selegiline in the morning prior to breakfast and with liquid. Patients should avoid eating fluids or food for 5 minutes prior to and after taking selegiline.