Selegiline for Parkinson's disease

About selegiline

The symptoms of Parkinson's disease - tremor, stiffness and slow movement - are due to there being less of a chemical called dopamine in your brain. Selegiline works by increasing the effect of dopamine in the brain, and this helps to ease these typical symptoms.

You may be prescribed selegiline as a treatment on its own, or alongside other medicines for Parkinson's disease which contain a medicine called levodopa. When it is prescribed with other medicines, selegiline helps to prevent some of the problems which can occur with these other treatments. These problems may be referred to as 'end-of-dose' fluctuations, or 'on-off' symptoms.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking selegiline it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Om du är gravid eller ammar.

• If you have a stomach or duodenal ulcer.

• If you have high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, or angina pain.

• If you have had a mental health problem (in particular, psychosis).

• If you have a problem with the way your liver works, or with the way your kidneys work.

• If you have a rare inherited blood disorder called porphyria.

• Om du tar några andra läkemedel. Detta inkluderar alla läkemedel du tar som finns att köpa utan recept, samt växtbaserade och komplementära läkemedel.

• Om du någonsin har haft en allergisk reaktion mot en medicin.

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about selegiline and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take selegiline exactly as your doctor tells you to. The usual dose is one tablet a day, in the morning. When you first start taking it your doctor is likely to suggest you start on the lower-strength (5 mg) tablet. You may then be prescribed the higher-strength (10 mg) tablet after a couple of weeks. You can take selegiline 5 mg and 10 mg tablets before or after food.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

• Försök att hålla dina regelbundna möten med din läkare. Detta är så att din läkare kan följa upp din utveckling.

• As your condition improves and your body movements become easier, be careful not to overdo physical activities. You should increase your activity gradually to allow your body to adjust to any changes in balance, circulation and co-ordination.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice. Your doctor may recommend that you do not drink alcohol while you are on this medicine.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take alongside this medicine. Selegiline should not be taken with strong painkillers and medicines containing sympathomimetics (present in some remedies for coughs and colds, and in decongestant nasal sprays and tablets).

• If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking selegiline.

• Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems and your doctor will want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary. Do not stop taking the medicine without speaking with your doctor first.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with selegiline. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Om du upplever några andra symtom som du tror kan bero på medicinen, tala med din läkare eller apotekare för vidare råd.

• Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.

• Förvara på en sval, torr plats, borta från direkt värme och ljus.