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Selegiline (By mouth)

Selegiline (se-LE-ji-leen)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to selegiline.

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Capsules or tablets: Take at breakfast and lunch.
Disintegrating tablet: It is best to take the tablet before breakfast. Do not eat or drink anything for 5 minutes before and after you take the tablet. Do not open the blister pack until you are ready to take your medicine. Peel back the foil to remove the tablet. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet on your tongue and wait for it to melt.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

You must avoid many other medicines while you are using selegiline. These medicines used together could cause serious health problems, including death. Ask your doctor before you use any other medicine. You may need to wait 1 to 5 weeks before you can use the other medicine.
Do not use selegiline if you are also using cyclobenzaprine, dextromethorphan, propoxyphene, or St John's wort. Do not use this medicine if you are using or have used narcotic pain medicines (including meperidine, methadone, tramadol) or another MAO inhibitor (including isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine) within the past 14 days.
Some medicines may affect how selegiline works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
- Carbamazepine, ephedrine, metoclopramide, nafcillin, phenobarbital, rifampin
- Medicine to treat depression or mental health problems (including TCAs, SSRIs)
Avoid foods and drinks that are high in tyramine, because your blood pressure could get dangerously high. Your doctor should give you a complete list. In general, do not eat anything aged or fermented, such as most cheese, most alcohol, cured meat (such as salami), sauerkraut, and soy sauce. Check the expiration dates on packages. Tyramine levels get higher as food gets older or if it has not been refrigerated properly.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, dyskinesia (movement disorder), high or low blood pressure, or a history of mental health problems. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 7 days after the last dose.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
- High or low blood pressure
- Serotonin syndrome (when used with other medicines)
- Dyskinesia (trouble controlling movements)
- Unusual changes in thoughts or behavior (including an urge to gamble or spend money, binge eating, or an increased sex drive)
- Mouth irritation
This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. It may even cause you to fall asleep without warning while you are driving or doing other activities. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Standing up slowly from a sitting position or lying position can lessen the chance of getting dizzy.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Anxiety, restlessness, fever, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
Chest pain, fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat, severe headache
Extreme energy, mood or mental changes, confusion, agitation, trouble sleeping, unusual thoughts or behavior
Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
Muscle spasms, twitching, uncontrolled movements (especially of the face, neck, or back)
Unusual drowsiness or sleepiness

Last Updated: 12/4/2023