How does it work?

Selegiline hydrochloride belongs to a group of medicines called the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). It is used alone or with levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Dopamine is the chemical in the brain known to be absent or reduced in Parkinson's disease. Dopamine is broken down by a chemical called monoamine oxidase. Selegiline prevents monoamine oxidase from breaking down dopamine, which results in an increased amount of active dopamine in the brain. In this way the symptoms of mild Parkinson's disease can be reduced. Levodopa is one of the medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease. It is transformed into dopamine by the body and in this way replaces the lost dopamine in the brain. With time, the body becomes accustomed to having regular doses of levodopa. When a dose is running out (e.g. at the end of a day) and the body no longer has extra dopamine being formed from levodopa in the brain, severe Parkinson's symptoms may occur. This is called "end of dose deterioration". The use of selegiline with levodopa reduces the risk of this happening by preventing the breakdown of the dopamine formed from levodopa. This extends the action of levodopa to cover the period before the next dose, reducing the end of dose side effects.

What is it used for?

Parkinson like symptoms

Parkinson's disease

Warning!

You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Use with caution in

Intestinal ulcer

Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias)

Peptic ulcer

Psychotic illness

Severe angina pectoris

Unstable high blood pressure

Not to be used in

No known conditions

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Consult your doctor for further advice.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Dry mouth

Disturbed sleep

Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)

Skin reactions such as rash and itch

Alteration in results of liver function tests

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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