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Selegiline HCL

 

Selegiline HCL (generic Eldepryl) Review

brand names: Carbex, Eldepryl
generic names: Selegiline, Selegiline hydrochloride

How does it work?

Zelapar tablets contain the active ingredient selegiline hydrochloride, which is a type of medicine called a selective monoamine-oxidase-B inhibitor (MAOI-B). (NB. Selegiline is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Selegiline increases the levels of a substance in the brain called dopamine, and is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Dopamine is a substance known as a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are present in the brain and nervous system and are involved in transmitting messages between nerves. These messages allow the normal functioning of the body. The neurotransmitter dopamine is known to be reduced or absent in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease, and this is thought to be the cause of the disease symptoms. The mainstay of treating Parkinson's disease is to replace dopamine in the brain.

Natural dopamine released from nerve cells in the brain is normally broken down by an enzyme called monoamine-oxidase-B. Selegiline works by blocking the action of this enzyme, which prevents the monoamine-oxidase-B from breaking down the dopamine. This results in an increased amount of active dopamine in the brain, and this reduces the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Selegiline is usually used in combination with a medicine called levodopa to treat Parkinson's disease. Levodopa is converted into dopamine in the brain and therefore works by directly replacing the lost dopamine. Unfortunately, levodopa treatment tends to become less effective over time and patients tend to experience 'end-of-dose' deterioration, where the duration of benefit after each dose of levodopa becomes progressively shorter. Selegiline can be used to prolong the effect of levodopa, because it stops the dopamine that is formed from the levodopa from being broken down in the brain. This extends the action of levodopa thereby reducing the 'end-of-dose' side effects.

Zelapar tablets are designed to dissolve on the tongue without water.

Do NOT use Selegiline (Eldepryl) if:

• you are taking an anorexiant (eg, doxepin), amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant (eg, tramadol, tolcapone, trazodone), a tetracyclic antidepressant (eg, methylphenidate), ephedrine, a sympathomimetic (eg, citalopram), fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant (eg, sibutramine, venlafaxine), a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (eg, papaverine, atomoxetine), a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (eg, nefazodone, meperidine, indoramin, ma huang), an herbal product (eg, entacapone, dextromethorphan, cyclobenzaprine, carbamazepine, buspirone, bupropion, brimonidine, apraclonidine, phentermine), or a "triptan" (eg, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan)
• you have schizophrenia
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Selegiline (Eldepryl)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

What side effects may I notice from taking Selegiline?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•black, increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
•changes in taste
•constipation or diarrhea
•difficulty sleeping
•drowsiness or dizziness
•dry mouth
•loss of appetite, or legs

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•anxiety or nervousness
•blurred vision, arms, face, or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
•uncontrollable muscle movements or spasms of the head, fast, increased sweating
•hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that are not really there)
•headaches
•lightheadedness or fainting spells; loss of balance
•muscle or neck stiffness or spasms
•slow, clammy skin, agitation
•chest pain
•difficulty breathing
•difficulty speaking
•enlarged pupils
•fever, confusion, irritability, tarry stools
•changes in behavior: mood swings, weight loss
•muscle aches or pains
•nausea/vomiting
•ringing in the ears
•stomach discomfort or pain
•unusual tiredness or weakness

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of Eldepryl during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Although Eldepryl is not known to cause specific birth defects, it should not be taken during pregnancy unless it is clearly needed. It is not known whether Eldepryl appears in breast milk. As a general rule, a nursing mother should not take any drug unless it is clearly necessary.

Use with caution in

• Unstable high blood pressure (labile hypertension)
  
  
• Severe angina pectoris
  
  
• Psychotic illness
  
  
• Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias)
  
  
• History of peptic ulcers
  
  
• Decreased liver function
  
  

What other drugs will affect Selegiline (Eldepryl)?

Before taking Selegiline (Eldepryl), tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• antidepressants such as venlafaxine (Effexor), sertraline (Zoloft), protriptyline (Vivactil), paroxetine (Paxil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), fluoxetine (Prozac), escitalopram (Lexapro), duloxetine (Cymbalta), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin), clomipramine (Anafranil), citalopram (Celexa), Zyban), bupropion (Wellbutrin, amoxapine (Ascendin), amitriptyline (Elavil), or trimipramine (Surmontil).
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane); or
• phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
• nafcillin (Unipen);
• diet pills or cold medicines that contain ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylephrine;
• carbamazepine (Tegretol);

There are many other medicines that can cause serious medical problems if you take them together with Selegiline (Eldepryl). Do not take Selegiline before telling your doctor about all other prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, herbal products, minerals, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor, dentist, or other healthcare provider who treats you.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take Selegiline (Eldepryl), or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.