The Selegiline is used in the control of symptoms of Parkinson’s , but limited to those patients who are already being treated with a combination of levodopa and carbidopa. In fact, Selegiline manages to reduce the dosage of Levodopa and Carbidopa necessary to keep the symptoms of Parkinson’s under control, make the effect of the drugs disappear between two assumptions and prolong the duration of their effect.

How does Selegiline work?

Selegiline has an action that causes a spike in the brain levels of the neurotransmitter Dopamine , since it is an inhibitor of the monoamine oxidase enzyme (MAO inhibitor) .

How is Selegiline taken?

The intake of Selegiline takes place orally . The drug comes in the form of capsules that are taken twice a day for breakfast and dinner, or tablets that are taken once a day, before breakfast, without food or drinks, and are dissolved in the mouth.

Side effects of Selegiline

Potential side effects of Selegiline include:

  • dizziness
  • heartburn
  • diarrhea
  • gas
  • constipation
  • insomnia
  • strange dreams
  • depression
  • drowsiness
  • pain, especially in the back or legs
  • feeling light-headed
  • fainting
  • dry mouth
  • nausea
  • He retched
  • stomach ache
  • difficulty swallowing
  • muscle weakness or pain
  • red spots on the skin
  • rash
  • oral irritation or redness (when taking oral soluble tablets)

A doctor should be contacted without hesitation in case the intake of the drug gives rise to:

  • confusional state
  • neck pain or stiffness
  • uncontrollable tremors
  • unusual movements difficult to control
  • severe headache
  • chest pain
  • fast, irregular or heavy heart beat
  • sweats
  • strong and sudden nausea or vomiting
  • visual or auditory hallucinations
  • breathing difficulties

Contraindications and warnings on the use of Selegiline

Get up slowly from the bed, sitting with your feet flat on the floor for a few minutes before standing up. In fact, the drug can cause dizziness and fainting when you get up quickly from a lying position, especially in the first few days of treatment.

If you experience nausea, stomach pain or dizziness while taking Selegiline, your doctor may prescribe a reduction in the dosage of Levodopa and Carbidopa. On the other hand, you should never suddenly stop taking Selegiline, fever, sweating and muscle stiffness may appear and you may face loss of consciousness.

Before taking Selegiline you must also inform your doctor:

  • of allergies to the active substance or other drugs;
  • of other medicines, phytotherapics and supplements also recently taken, remembering to mention in particular other familiar ones that contain Selegiline, antidepressants, Carbamazepine, drugs for coughs and cold symptoms, slimming medicines, Nafcillina, Fenobarbital, Fenitoina, SSRI and Rifampin;
  • if you have suffered or still suffer from liver or kidney disease in the past , phenylketonuria ;
  • if you are pregnant or breastfeeding .