Selegiline Hydrochloride is used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. This is a type of medicine called a selective monoamine-oxidase-B inhibitor. This is an FDA-approved prescription that helps improve your ability to do everyday activities and your range of motion.

How does Selegiline Hydrochloride work?

Selegiline Hydrochloride increases the levels of a substance in the brain called dopamine. Dopamine is a substance known as a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are present in the brain and nervous system. They are also involved in transmitting messages between nerves. These messages allow the normal functioning of the body. The neurotransmitter dopamine is known to lessen or absent in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease. It is also thought to be the cause of disease symptoms. The mainstay of treating the condition is to replace dopamine in the brain. 

Natural dopamine released from nerve cells in the brain is normally broken down by an enzyme called monoamine-oxidase-B (MAO-B). Selegiline Hydrochloride works by blocking down this enzyme which prevents the MAO-B from breaking down the dopamine. This results in an increased amount of active dopamine in the brain and this decreases the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. 

How is Selegiline Hydrochloride taken?

Selegiline Hydrochloride is taken by mouth usually twice a day with breakfast and lunch. Taking a dose of this drug late in the day may cause trouble sleeping. The dosage will depend on your medical condition and response to the drug. Take this medication as directed by your doctor for the best benefit. 

This medication is usually used in combination with a medicine called levodopa. Levodopa is converted into dopamine in the brain. It works by directly replacing the lost dopamine. Unfortunately, levodopa treatment tends to become less effective over time. It is where the effect of each dose of levodopa becomes progressively shorter. Selegiline Hydrochloride can be used to prolong the effect of levodopa. It stops the dopamine that is formed from the levodopa from being broken down in the brain. This extends the action of levodopa thereby reducing certain side effects.

After you have been taking Selegiline Hydrochloride for 2-3 days, your doctor may direct you to lower your levodopa dose. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Do not stop or change the dose of any of your medications without the consent of your doctor. It may take a few weeks for the full benefits of the drug to be noticed. 

What are the precautions in taking Selegiline Hydrochloride?

• Let your doctor if you have any allergies or if you are allergic to this drug. 
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking this drug. 
• Consult your doctor first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding women before taking Selegiline Hydrochloride. 
• This drug may affect your ability to perform some activities especially when driving or operating machinery. 
• Selegiline Hydrochloride is not recommended for use in people with active peptic ulcer or hereditary blood disorders called acute porphyrias. 
• For people with decreased liver function, a history of peptic ulcers, severe angina, or unstable high blood pressure, Selegiline Hydrochloride should be used with caution.