selegiline hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Selective monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor
Usual use
Symptom control in Parkinson’s disease and symptomatic parkinsonism
With levodopa
Can prolong levodopa’s effect but may increase dyskinesia, agitation or postural hypotension
Food
Conventional tablets can be taken with food or drink; routine tyramine restriction is generally unnecessary during licensed use
What is selegiline hydrochloride used for?
Licensed uses for the selected tablet product include:
Parkinson’s disease, including symptomatic relief in early disease.
Symptomatic parkinsonism related to dopamine deficiency.
Use alongside levodopa, particularly for end-of-dose deterioration, on–off symptoms or dyskinesias.
How does selegiline hydrochloride work?
Selegiline irreversibly inhibits monoamine oxidase-B, an enzyme that breaks down dopamine in the brain. This increases and prolongs dopaminergic activity, including the effects of levodopa.
selegiline hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg
How to take selegiline hydrochloride
Take the conventional oral tablet exactly as directed on the dispensing label. It may be taken with food or drink. Avoid alcohol and do not stop treatment without speaking to the prescriber.
Check product instructions carefully, as selegiline formulations may have different administration requirements.
Tell the surgical or anaesthetic team before a procedure.
Do not alter levodopa or other Parkinson’s medicines yourself.
For swallowing difficulties, dispersing in water or crushing into soft food is off-label and should be checked with a pharmacist or specialist first.
selegiline hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Sore or inflamed mouth and gums
- Nausea, constipation or diarrhoea
- Dizziness, headache, tremor or impaired balance
- Sleep disturbance, confusion or hallucinations
- Increased sweating
- High or low blood pressure
- Slow heartbeat
- Abnormal or involuntary movements, particularly with levodopa
- Tiredness
Get urgent medical advice
- Symptoms of serotonin syndrome
- Chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, or a fast or irregular heartbeat
- Marked hallucinations, psychosis or severe behavioural change
- New compulsive gambling, shopping, eating or sexual behaviour
- Inability to pass urine
- Unusual bleeding, bruising or recurrent infections
selegiline hydrochloride in pregnancy
Safety information in pregnancy is insufficient, and product information advises avoiding selegiline as a precaution. Contact a specialist or prescriber before taking or stopping it if pregnant, planning pregnancy or potentially pregnant.
selegiline hydrochloride while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether selegiline enters human milk, but transfer is considered possible and risk to the infant cannot be excluded. Product information advises that selegiline should not be used while breastfeeding.
selegiline hydrochloride interactions
Selegiline has important interactions that may persist after it is stopped. A prescriber or pharmacist should check all medicines, including non-prescription products.
Antidepressants, including SSRIs, SNRIs and tricyclics
Concomitant use is contraindicated because severe serotonin syndrome and other central nervous system reactions can occur. Medicine-specific washout periods are required.
Pethidine, tramadol, buprenorphine and other opioids
Potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome or other severe reactions may occur; concomitant use is contraindicated or requires specialist assessment where specifically stated.
Other MAO inhibitors, including linezolid
Combined monoamine oxidase inhibition may cause serious cardiovascular or neurological reactions and is contraindicated.
Common questions about selegiline hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is selegiline hydrochloride used for?
It is used to relieve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and dopamine-deficiency symptomatic parkinsonism, alone in early disease or with levodopa when symptom control fluctuates.
Does it cure Parkinson’s disease?
No. It improves symptoms by preserving dopamine activity but does not cure or reverse the underlying condition.
Can it be taken with antidepressants?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.