Health Centres - Zelapar
How does it work?
Zelapar tablets contain the active ingredient selegiline hydrochloride, which is a type of medicine called a selective monoamine-oxidase-B inhibitor (MAOI-B). (NB. Selegiline is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Selegiline increases the levels of a substance in the brain called dopamine, and is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Zelapar tablets are designed to dissolve on the tongue without water.
What is it used for?
Warning!
- The Zelapar brand of selegiline contains aspartame and is not suitable for people with the inherited disorder of protein metabolism called phenylketonuria. Zelapar tablets are designed to dissolve on the tongue without water. Do not push them through the foil blister as this will damage them. Peel back the foil and remove the tablet. The tablet should be placed on the tongue in the morning, at least 5 minutes before breakfast and allowed to dissolve. You should not eat, drink or rinse the mouth for at least 5 minutes after taking the medicine to allow time for it to be absorbed from the mouth.
Use with caution in
- Decreased liver function
-
History of peptic ulcers
- Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias)
- Psychotic illness
-
Severe angina pectoris
-
Unstable high blood pressure
Not to be used in
-
Active peptic ulcer
-
Breastfeeding
- Pregnancy
- Phenylketonuria (Zelapar tablets contain aspartame)
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.
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.
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Disturbed sleep
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Balance problems involving the inner ear (vertigo)
- Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)
- Nausea and vomiting
- A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)
- Skin reactions such as rash and itch
- Mouth ulcers (Zelapar brand of selegiline only)
- 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.
© Copyright 1998 - 2008 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved 
Font size
Mail
My account
Help
Community
Print now
Send to a friend
Related articles
Related products
