Eldepryl

Eldepryl

     * Generic Name: selegiline hcl
     * Brand Name: Eldepryl


     * What is selegiline?
     * What are the possible side effects of selegiline?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       selegiline?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using
       selegiline?
     * How should I take selegiline?
     * What happens if I miss a dose?
     * What happens if I overdose?
     * What should I avoid while taking selegiline?
     * What other drugs will affect selegiline?
     * Where can I get more information?

What is selegiline?

   Selegiline prevents the breakdown of a chemical in your brain
   called dopamine (DO pa meen). Low levels of this chemical are
   associated with Parkinson's disease.

   Selegiline is used together with other medicines to treat symptoms of
   Parkinson's disease.

   Selegiline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of selegiline?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
   throat.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
     * trouble breathing;
     * confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
     * increased tremors or uncontrolled muscle movements;
     * worsening side effects of your other medications;
     * high levels of serotonin in the body (when taken with an
       antidepressant)--agitation, fever, fast heart rate, overactive
       reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination,
       fainting; or
     * dangerously high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision,
       pounding in your neck or ears, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, severe
       chest pain, shortness of breath, pounding heartbeats, or
       seizure (convulsions).

   You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other
   intense urges while taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor if this
   occurs.

   Common side effects may include:
     * dizziness;
     * nausea, stomach pain, constipation;
     * skin rash or other irritation;
     * sleep problems (insomnia); or
     * mouth sores or ulcers, pain with swallowing (while using
       selegiline orally disintegrating tablets).

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about selegiline?

   Serious drug interactions can occur when certain medicines are used
   together with selegiline. Tell each of your healthcare providers about
   all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.

   Eldepryl Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Parkinson's Disease:Symptoms, Stages and Treatment

   Parkinson's Disease Slideshow Pictures
   Dementia, Alzheimer's, and Aging Brains

   Dementia Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the Parkinson's Quiz

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using selegiline?

   You should not use selegiline if you are allergic to it, or if you have
   taken fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem and others) within the
   past 5 weeks.

   Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with
   selegiline. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you
   use any of the following drugs:
     * cough medicine that contains dextromethorphan;
     * cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril);
     * meperidine (Demerol) or other narcotic (opioid)
       pain medicine;
     * methadone;
     * St. John's wort;
     * tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet);
     * an antidepressant--citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine,
       escitalopram, fluvoxamine, levomilnacipran, milnacipran,
       mirtazapine, nefazodone, paroxetine, venlafaxine,
       vilazodone, vortioxetine, and others; or
     * an MAO inhibitor--isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene
       blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline,
       tranylcypromine, and others.

   After you stop taking selegiline, you must wait at least 14 days before
   taking any of the medications listed above.

   To make sure selegiline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
     * liver or kidney disease;
     * high blood pressure; or
     * phenylketonuria (selegiline orally disintegrating tablets may
       contain phenylalanine).

   People with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk of skin
   cancer (melanoma). Talk to your doctor about this risk and what
   skin symptoms to watch for.

   It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell
   your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

   It is not known whether selegiline passes into breast milk or if it
   could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
   baby.

How should I take selegiline?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
   occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do
   not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than
   recommended. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without
   your doctor's advice.

   Selegiline capsules are usually taken twice a day, at breakfast and
   lunch. Follow your doctor's instructions.

   The disintegrating tablet form of selegiline (Zelapar) should be taken
   once a day before breakfast and without any liquid.

   While you are using selegiline and for 14 days after you stop, you must
   not eat foods listed in the "What should I avoid while using
   selegiline?" section of this leaflet. Eating these foods while you are
   using selegiline can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels.

   Foods that you MAY eat include:
     * fresh meat, poultry, or fish (including lunch meat, hot dogs,
       breakfast sausage, and cooked sliced ham);
     * any vegetables except broad bean pods (fava beans);
     * processed cheese, mozzarella, ricotta, cottage cheese;
     * pizza made with cheeses low in tyramine;
     * soy milk, yogurt; or
     * Brewer's or baker's yeast.

   To take selegiline orally disintegrating tablets (Zelapar):
     * Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the
       medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet
       blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage
       the tablet.
     * Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it on your tongue. It
       will begin to dissolve right away. Do not swallow the tablet whole.
       Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Swallow several
       times as the tablet dissolves.
     * Do not drink or eat anything for at least 5 minutes after taking a
       Zelapar orally disintegrating tablet.

   Do not stop taking selegiline suddenly or you may have harmful side
   effects. For best results, keep taking the medicine as prescribed.

   Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

   Keep each Zelapar tablet in the foil blister pack until you are ready
   to take it. Throw away any Zelapar tablets not used within 3 months
   after you have opened the pouch containing the blister pack.

   Eldepryl Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Parkinson's Disease:Symptoms, Stages and Treatment

   Parkinson's Disease Slideshow Pictures
   Dementia, Alzheimer's, and Aging Brains

   Dementia Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the Parkinson's Quiz

What happens if I miss a dose?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

   Overdose symptoms may include severe headache, hallucinations, vision
   problems, sweating, cool or clammy skin, fast or uneven heart rate,
   feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking selegiline?

   Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking selegiline.

   While taking selegiline and for 14 days after you stop, 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;
     * any spoiled or improperly stored beef, poultry, fish, or liver;
     * beer from a tap, beer that has not been pasteurized;
     * aged cheeses (such as blue, Swiss, cheddar, Parmesan, or Romano
       cheese);
     * over-the-counter supplements or cough and cold medicines that
       contain tyramine;
     * sauerkraut, soy beans, soy sauce, tofu, fava beans; or
     * yeast extracts (such as Marmite).

   Eating tyramine while you are using 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 using selegiline.

   Selegiline may impair your thinking or reactions. Some people taking
   this medicine have fallen asleep during normal daytime activities such
   as working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly,
   even after feeling alert. Be careful if you drive or do anything that
   requires you to be alert.

What other drugs will affect selegiline?

   Many drugs can interact with selegiline, and some drugs should not be
   used together. This includes prescription and over-the-counter
   medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions
   are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all
   medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your
   treatment with selegiline. Give a list of all your medicines to any
   healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about selegiline.