Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 24, 2022.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Eldepryl
- Zelapar
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet, Disintegrating
- Capsule
- Tablet
Therapeutic Class: Antiparkinsonian
Pharmacologic Class: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor, Type B
Uses for selegiline
Selegiline is used in combination with levodopa or levodopa and carbidopa combination to treat Parkinson's disease (sometimes called "shaking palsy" or "paralysis agitans"). Selegiline works to increase and extend the effects of levodopa, and may help to slow the progress of Parkinson's disease.
Selegiline is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using selegiline
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For selegiline, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to selegiline or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of selegiline in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of selegiline in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have unwanted effects (eg, high or low blood pressure, orthostatic hypotension, unusual drowsiness), which may require caution for patients receiving selegiline.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different med...
