What does it do?

Selegiline is used to treat and prevent the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

How should you take it?

Take selegiline regularly as directed with a glass of water.

What if you forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and carry on as normal. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Can you take other medicines?

Some medicines available without a prescription may react with selegiline including:

• some antihistamines (may be in anti-allergy, anti-nausea and cough/cold medicines)
• anti-nausea medicines (e.g. Buccastem®, Scopoderm®, Sea-legs®)
• cold and flu medicines containing dextromethorphan (e.g. Robitussin Dry Cough Forte®) or phenylephrine (e.g. Sudafed PE®)
• some migraine medicines, such as sumatriptan (e.g. Sumagran Active®) or zolmitriptan (e.g. Zomig®)

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products (e.g. St John's wort) or recreational drugs (e.g. ecstasy).

What side effects might you notice?

Side Effects	Recommended action
Muscle twitching or shaking you can’t control, confusion, heavy sweating, fever Fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain Seizures	Tell your doctor immediately
Trouble sleeping Dizziness, headache Dry mouth, mouth or lip sores	Tell your doctor
Nausea	Take with food

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

• Tell your doctor if you have liver, heart or stomach problems, or high blood pressure, a mental health condition (e.g. depression) or if you have ever had a seizure.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• High doses of selegiline (more than 10 mg) require some dietary restrictions – ask your pharmacist.
• Selegiline may cause dizziness and make it dangerous to drive, operate machinery or do other activities that require you to be alert.
• Feelings of anxiety in the first few weeks of therapy are common, but should get better. Discuss with your doctor.
• Do not stop taking selegiline without talking to your doctor first.
• Selegiline is not registered for use in New Zealand. Discuss with your doctor.