Eldepryl

Generic name:selegiline (oral) [ se-LE-ji-leen ]
Brand names: Eldepryl, Zelapar
Drug classes:Dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents, Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 27, 2021.

What is Eldepryl?

Eldepryl prevents the breakdown of a chemical in your brain called dopamine. Low levels of dopamine are associated with Parkinson's disease.

Eldepryl capsules are used together with levodopa and carbidopa to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Eldepryl may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Serious drug interactions can occur when certain medicines are used together with Eldepryl. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.

While taking Eldepryl, do not drink alcohol or eat foods that are high in tyramine, listed in the "What should I avoid while using Eldepryl?" section of this leaflet. Eating tyramine while you are using selegiline can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels and cause life-threatening symptoms.

Do not stop taking Eldepryl suddenly or you may have harmful side effects. Keep taking the medicine as prescribed. Talk with your doctor before stopping the medication.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medication. Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while taking Eldepryl.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Eldepryl if you are allergic to selegiline, or if you have taken fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem and others) within the past 5 weeks.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Eldepryl. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:

• cough medicine that contains dextromethorphan;

• cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril);

• meperidine (Demerol) or other narcotic (opioid) pain medicine;

• methadone;

• St. John's wort;

• tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet);

• an antidepressant - citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluvoxamine, levomilnacipran, milnacipran, mirtazapine, nefazodone, paroxetine, venlafaxine, vilazodone, vortioxetine, and others; or

• p>an MAO inhibitor - isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

After you stop taking Eldepryl, you must wait at least 14 days before taking any of the medications listed above.

To make sure Eldepryl is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver or kidney disease;

• high blood pressure; or

People with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk of skin cancer (melanoma). Talk to your doctor about this risk and what skin symptoms to watch for.

It is not known whether Eldepryl will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if yo...