SELEGILINE - TRANSDERMAL

SELEGILINE - TRANSDERMAL

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (seh-LEDGE-uh-leen)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Emsam

GENERIC NAME(S): selegiline

Uses

USES: Selegiline is an antidepressant (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) that treats depression by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain. Selegiline can improve your mood and feelings of well-being. This medication is a patch for use on the skin.


How to use SELEGILINE - TRANSDERMAL

HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide available from your pharmacist before you start using selegiline and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Follow the package instructions for using this medication. Make sure you understand how to apply a new patch and dispose of the used product. Do not cut the patch into smaller sizes. Do not use the patch if it appears broken, cut or damaged. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Before applying the patch, wash the area you will be using for the patch gently and thoroughly with soap and water. Rinse and dry with a clean dry towel. Do not apply the patch to hairy/oily/red/cut/irritated/broken or scarred/calloused skin. Remove the patch from the foil pouch and apply as directed by the manufacturer. Apply one patch to an area of clean dry skin on the upper body (torso), upper thigh, or on the outside of the upper arm where it will not be rubbed by tight clothing. Change the patch daily at about the same time each day. Apply the patch to a different area on your body each time to avoid irritation. If your patch falls off, apply a new patch to a new area and continue on your same schedule. Be sure to remove the old patch, fold it in half so it sticks to itself, and throw it away out of the reach of children and pets. Do not touch the sticky side with your fingers. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling the patch. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may start you at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Usually, your daily dose will not be more than 12 milligrams. Once your condition improves and you are better for a while, your doctor may work with you to reduce your regular dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not apply more patches or leave the patch on for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster and your risk of side effects will increase. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. It may take several weeks for the full benefits of this medication to be noticed. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning section. Dizziness, drowsiness, redness/irritation at the application site, tiredness, weakness, problems sleeping, constipation, and dry mouth may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: fainting, mental/mood changes (e.g., agitation, confusion), muscle stiffness/twitching, changes in sexual ability/interest, shaking (tremor), shivering, swollen ankles/legs, unusual weight gain/loss, eye pain/swelling/redness, vision changes (e.g., double/blurred vision), severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, seizures, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin. This drug may rarely cause an attack of extremely high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis), which may be fatal. Many drug and food interactions can increase this risk (See also Drug Interaction section.) Stop using selegiline and get medical help right away if any of these very serious side effects occur: frequent/severe headache, fast/slow/irregular/pounding heartbeat, chest pain, neck stiffness/soreness, severe nausea/vomiting, sweating/clammy skin (sometimes with fever), widened pupils, sudden sensitivity to light (photophobia). This medication may increase serotonin and rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome. The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, so tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take. Get medical help right away if you develop some of the following symptoms: hallucinations, unusual restlessness, loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, severe dizziness, unexplained fever, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscle. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: See also Warning section. Before using selegiline, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: a certain kind of adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma), cerebrovascular disease (e.g., stroke), heart problems (e.g., congestive heart failure, heart attack), personal or family history of high blood pressure, history of severe/frequent headaches, personal/family history of mental/mood disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia), liver problems, certain nervous system diseases (Parkinson's syndrome, seizures), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type). This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana. To minimize dizziness and the risk of fainting, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Avoid exposing your skin to direct heat sources such as heating pads, electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, heated water beds, or prolonged direct sunlight while wearing your selegiline patch. Heat sources may cause more drug to be released into your body, increasing the chance of side effects. If you are going to have an MRI test, tell testing personnel that you are using this patch. Some patches may contain metals that can cause serious burns during an MRI. Ask your doctor whether you will need to remove your patch before the test and apply a new patch afterward, and how to do so properly. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist you are on this medication. You may need to stop using this drug beforehand. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the effects on blood pressure. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Since untreated mental/mood problems (such as depression) can be a serious condition, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medication during pregnancy. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with selegiline include: antidepressants (including bupropion, maprotiline, mirtazapine), other MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, tranylcypromine), appetite suppressants (such as diethylpropion), drugs for attention deficit disorder (such as atomoxetine, methylphenidate), apraclonidine, buspirone, carbamazepine/oxcarbazepine, cyclobenzaprine, deutetrabenazine, certain herbal products (such as ephedra/ma huang), cold medications/nasal decongestants (such as phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine), fentanyl, street drugs (such as LSD, mescaline), stimulants (such as amphetamines, ephedrine), supplements (such as tryptophan, tyramine), tetrabenazine, certain "triptans" used to treat migraine headaches (such as rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan), valbenazine. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin. Examples include street drugs such as MDMA/"ecstasy," St. John's wort, dextromethorphan, certain antidepressants (including SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, SNRIs such as duloxetine/venlafaxine, TCAs such as amitriptyline/doxepin), certain narcotic medications (such as meperidine, methadone, pentazocine, propoxyphene, tramadol, tapentadol), among others. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of these drugs. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using any of these medications before, during, or within 2 weeks after treatment with selegiline. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have taken fluoxetine during at least 5 weeks before starting selegiline. Discuss with your doctor how much time to wait between starting or stopping any of these drugs and taking selegiline. Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy, cough-and-cold products, diet pills) because they may contain dextromethorphan, decongestants, or stimulants. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. It is very important that you follow special dietary restrictions in order to limit the amount of tyramine in your diet if you are using the higher strength patches (9 or 12 milligrams). Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, colas) or eating large amounts of chocolate. Caffeine can increase the side effects of this medication. Foods and beverages high in tyramine should be avoided while you are using this medication and for at least 2 weeks after you stop using this medication. Foods high in tyramine include: aged cheeses (cheddar, camembert, emmenthaler, brie, stilton blue, gruyere, gouda, brick, bleu, roquefort, boursault, parmesan, romano, provolone, liederdranz, colby, edam), aged/dried/fermented/salted/smoked/pickled/processed meats and fish (includes bacon, summer sausage, liverwurst, hot dogs, corned beef, pepperoni, salami, bologna, ham, mortadella, pickled or dried herring), banana peel, beef/chicken liver (stored, not fresh), bouillon cubes, commercial gravies, concentrated yeast extracts, fava beans, Italian green beans, broad beans, fermented bean curd, homemade yeast-leavened bread, kim chee (Korean fermented cabbage), orange pulp, overripe or spoiled fruits, packaged soups, red wine, sauerkraut, sherry, snow pea pods, sourdough bread, soy sauce, soybeans, soybean paste/miso, tofu, tap beer and ale, vermouth. Moderate-to-low tyramine content foods include: alcohol-free beer, avocados, bananas, bottled beer and ale, chocolate and products made with chocolate, coffee, cola, cultured dairy products (e.g. buttermilk, yogurt, sour cream), distilled spirits, eggplant, canned figs, fish roe (caviar), green bean pods, pate, peanuts, port wine, raisins, raspberries, red plums, spinach, tomatoes, white wine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you notice symptoms of high blood pressure such as fast/slow heartbeat, vomiting, sweating, headache, chest pain, sudden vision changes, weakness on one side of the body, or slurred speech. Contact your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor, pharmacist, dietician) for more information, including recommendations for your diet. This medication may interfere with certain medical/laboratory tests (including brain scan for Parkinson's disease), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: This medication patch may be harmful if chewed or swallowed. If someone has overdosed, remove the patch if possible. For serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

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Faq for SELEGILINE - TRANSDERMAL

Selegiline transdermal is a medication that is applied to the skin to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Selegiline transdermal works by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain, which helps to improve motor function and reduce symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Selegiline transdermal comes in the form of a patch that is applied to clean, dry skin on the upper torso, upper thigh, or outer surface of the upper arm. It should not be applied to skin that is irritated or damaged.

The selegiline transdermal patch should be changed every 24 hours. It is important to remove the old patch before applying a new one to a different location on the skin.

Common side effects of selegiline transdermal may include skin irritation at the application site, dizziness, headache, and nausea. Serious side effects are rare but may include hallucinations, confusion, and severe allergic reactions.

Selegiline transdermal may interact with other medications, so it is important to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.

It may take several weeks for selegiline transdermal to start working fully. It is important to continue using the medication as directed, even if you do not immediately notice improvement in your symptoms.

Selegiline transdermal should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed and under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is not recommended to use selegiline transdermal while breastfeeding, as it may pass into breast milk.

If you accidentally overdose on selegiline transdermal, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of overdose may include severe headache, confusion, hallucinations, and irregular heartbeat.


Warning

WARNING: Antidepressant medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders. These medications can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other important benefits. However, studies have shown that a small number of people (especially people younger than 25) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. Therefore, it is very important to talk with the doctor about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication (especially for people younger than 25), even if treatment is not for a mental/mood condition. Tell the doctor right away if you notice worsening depression/other psychiatric conditions, unusual behavior changes (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts), or other mental/mood changes (including new/worsening anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, very rapid speech). Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed. This medication must not be used in children younger than 12 years due to an increased risk of serious side effects (such as extremely high blood pressure). Also, this medication is not recommended for use in children between 12 and 17 years old. Studies have not shown it to work in children in this age group.


Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.