Selegiline, Transdermal Patch

August 23, 2020

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Selegiline, Transdermal Patch

What is this medicine?

SELEGILINE (se LE ji leen) is an monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). It is used to treat major depression.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for external use only. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Remove the patch from the pouch by tearing at the notches on the sides of the pouch. Do not use scissors. Apply the patch to clean, dry, smooth skin on the upper back, upper chest, upper thigh, or to the outer part of the upper arm. Avoid applying to injured, irritated, calloused, or scarred areas. Use only 1 patch at a time. Do not cut or trim the patch. Ensure that the patch is flat against the skin. Be sure the edges are stuck to the skin surface. Remove the old patch before applying a new one. Each time you apply a new patch, use a new area of skin on the upper back, upper chest, upper thigh, or to the outer part of the upper arm. Do not apply to the exact same site. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. This medicine is not approved for use in children. Do not use in children under 12 years of age.

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

  • elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior

  • high blood pressure

  • seizures

  • 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

  • skin blisters, continued irritation, or swelling at site where applied

  • suicidal thoughts

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

  • diarrhea

  • dry mouth

  • headache

  • skin redness at site where applied

  • trouble sleeping

  • upset stomach

What may interact with this medicine?

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

  • carbamazepine

  • cyclobenzaprine

  • dextromethorphan

  • MAOIs like Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

  • medicines for pain like meperidine, tramadol, methadone, pentazocine

  • most other medicines for depression

  • other medicines containing selegiline, like Eldepryl and Zelapar

  • rasagiline

  • safinamide

  • stimulant medicines for attention disorders

  • St. John's wort

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • alcohol

  • buspirone

  • ephedrine

  • epinephrine or racepinephrine

  • medicines for nasal congestion like phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine

  • norepinephrine

  • stimulant medicines for weight loss or staying awake

What if I miss a dose?

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

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Keep this medicine in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it. When you remove a patch, fold with sticky sides together, put in an empty opened pouch and throw away. 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:

  • bipolar disorder

  • high blood pressure

  • if you often drink alcohol

  • liver disease

  • pheochromocytoma

  • skin conditions or sensitivity

  • suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member

  • 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. Because it may take several weeks to see the full effects of this medicine, it is important to continue your treatment as prescribed by your doctor. 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.

Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. Also watch out for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.

If your doctor or health care professional increases the dose of this medicine to more than 6 mg a day, ask about possible interactions with foods that contain tyramine because this medicine may interact with these foods to produce severe headaches, a rise in blood pressure, or irregular heart beat. Continue to avoid tyramine-rich foods or beverages for 2 weeks after your doctor reduces your medicine to the 6 mg a day dose or after you stop the 9 mg or 12 mg a day dose. If you start and continue the 6 mg dose, you do not need to make any diet changes.

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, 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.

This medicine patch is sensitive to certain body heat changes. If your skin gets too hot, more medicine will come out of the patch. Call your health care provider if you get a fever. Do not take hot baths. Do not sunbathe. Do not use hot tubs, saunas, hairdryers, heating pads, electric blankets, heated waterbeds, or tanning lamps. Do not do exercise that increases your body temperature.

Updated:  

August 23, 2020