Selegiline tablets or capsules

What is this medicine?

SELEGILINE (se LE ji leen) is an monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). It is used with levodopa-carbidopa in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It is usually added to therapy when there is a decrease in response to levodopa.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• changes in emotions or moods

• chest pain

• confusion

• falling asleep during normal activities like driving

• high blood pressure

• new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, uncontrollable spending, binge or compulsive eating, or other urges

• seizures

• suicidal thoughts

• signs and symptoms of low blood pressure like dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired

• signs and symptoms of hypertensive crisis like severe sudden headache; excess sweating, sometimes with a fever or cold and clammy skin; eyes sensitive to light; fast, irregular heartbeat

• uncontrollable movements of the arms, face, head, mouth, neck, and upper body

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation

• dizziness

• dry mouth

• headache

• muscle pain

• nausea

• trouble sleeping

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• cyclobenzaprine

• dextromethorphan

• MAOIs like Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

• meperidine

• methadone

• other medicines containing selegiline, like Emsam or Eldepryl

• rasagiline

• safinamide

• stimulant medicines for attention disorders

• tramadol

• St. John's wort

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• antipsychotics

• certain medicines for depression or anxiety

• ephedrine

• epinephrine or racepinephrine

• medicines for nasal congestion like phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine

• metoclopramide

• narcotic medicines for pain

• norepinephrine

• stimulant medicines for weight loss or staying awake

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• high blood pressure

• liver disease

• low blood pressure

• narcolepsy

• sleep apnea

• an unusual or allergic reaction to selegiline, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not stop taking except on your health care professional's advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your health care professional will tell you how much medicine to take.

This medicine can interact with certain foods that contain high amounts of tyramine. The combination may cause severe headaches, a rise in blood pressure, or irregular heart beat. Foods that contain significant amounts of tyramine include aged cheeses, meats and fish (especially aged, smoked, pickled, or processed such as bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage), beer and ale, alcohol-free beer, wine (especially red), sherry, hard liquor, liqueurs, avocados, bananas, figs, raisins, soy sauce, miso soup, yeast/protein extracts, bean curd, fava or broad bean pods, or any over-ripe fruit. Ask your doctor or health care professional, pharmacist, or nutritionist for a complete listing of tyramine-containing foods.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your health care professional if the problem does not go away or is severe.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, flu or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Do not take any medications for weight loss without advice either. Some ingredients in these products may increase possible side effects.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

If you are scheduled for any medical or dental procedure, tell your healthcare provider that you are taking this medicine. This medicine can interact with other medicines used during surgery.

You should check your skin often for changes to moles and new growths while taking this medicine. Call your doctor if you notice any of these changes.