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Drug Notebook

Generic Name: selegiline

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Eldepryl, Zelapar, Emsam, Carbex, Selegiline Hydrochloride, Atapryl
A mao inhibitor - treats Depression and Parkinson's Disease
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FDA Alerts

Special Alerts:

[Posted 05/02/2007] FDA notified healthcare professionals that the Agency proposed that makers of all antidepressant medications update the existing black box warning on the prescribing information for their products to include warnings about the increased risks of suicidal thinking and behavior in young adults ages 18 to 24 years old during the first one to two months of treatment. The proposed labeling changes also state that scientific data did not show this increased risk in adults older than 24 years of age and that adults 65 years of age and older taking antidepressants have a decreased risk of suicidality. The proposed updates apply to the entire category of antidepressants. Individuals currently taking prescribed antidepressant medications should not stop taking them and should notify their healthcare professional if they have concerns. Manufacturers of antidepressant medications will have 30 days to submit their revised product labeling and revised Medication Guides to FDA for review. See the FDA press release for the list of products affected by the proposed antidepressant product labeling changes. For more information visit the FDA website at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Antidepressant, http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01624.html and http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antidepressants/default.htm.

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selegiline
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(se LE ji leen)

What should I avoid while using selegiline?

You must NOT eat foods that are high in tyramine, including:

  • air dried meats, aged or fermented meats, sausage or salami (including cacciatore and mortadella), pickled herring, and any spoiled or improperly stored beef, poultry, fish, or liver;

  • beer from a tap, beer that has not been pasteurized;

  • aged cheeses, including blue, boursault, brick, brie, camembert, cheddar, emmenthaler, gruyere, parmesan, romano, roquefort, stilton, and swiss;

  • over-the-counter supplements or cough and cold medicines that contain tyramine;

  • sauerkraut, soy beans, soy sauce, tofu, miso soup, bean curd, fava beans; or

  • yeast extracts (such as Marmite).

Eating tyramine while you are taking selegiline can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels which could cause life-threatening side effects.

You should become very familiar with the list of foods to avoid while you are taking selegiline.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking selegiline. Selegiline can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What are the possible side effects of selegiline?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking selegiline and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • sudden and severe headache, confusion, blurred vision, problems with speech or balance, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, seizure (convulsions), and sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body);

  • feeling light-headed, fainting;

  • hallucinations;

  • feeling restless, agitated, or irritable;

  • twitching muscle movements; or

  • painful or difficult urination.

Less serious side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect selegiline?

Before taking selegiline, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can cause serious medical problems if you take them together with selegiline. Do not take selegiline before telling your doctor about all other prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, 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.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about selegiline.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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