Eldepryl Medication - Uses & Side Effects

ELDEPRYL (selegiline hydrochloride) is a levorotatory acetylenic derivative of phenethylamine. It is commonly referred to in the clinical and pharmacological literature as l-deprenyl. Eldepryl is prescribed along with Sinemet (levodopa/carbidopa) for people with Parkinson's disease. It is used when Sinemet no longer seems to be working well. Eldepryl has no effect when taken by itself; it works only in combination with Larodopa (levodopa) or Sinemet.

Parkinson's disease, which causes muscle rigidity and difficulty with walking and talking, involves the progressive degeneration of a particular type of nerve cell. Early on, Larodopa or Sinemet alone may alleviate the symptoms of the disease. In time, however, these medications work less well; their effectiveness seems to switch on and off at random, and the individual may begin to experience side effects such as involuntary movements and "freezing" in mid-motion.

Eldepryl may be prescribed at this stage of the disease to help restore the effectiveness of Larodopa or Sinemet. When you begin to take Eldepryl, you may need a reduced dosage of the other medication.

Eldepryl Dosage

• The recommended dose of Eldepryl is 10 milligrams per day divided into 2 smaller doses of 5 milligrams each, taken at breakfast and lunch. There is no evidence of additional benefit from higher doses, and they increase the risk of side effects.

Uses of Eldepryl

• Eldepryl is used together with other medicines to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms, and poor muscle control.
• Eldepryl oral is also used to treat similar muscle symptoms when they are caused by certain medicines, including chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), and others.
• Eldepryl may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects of Eldepryl

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Eldepryl. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal pain, confusion, dizziness, dry mouth, fainting, hallucinations, nausea, lightheadedness

Warnings and precautions before taking Eldepryl:

• Never take Eldepryl at a higher dosage than prescribed; doing so could put you at risk for a dangerous rise in blood pressure. If you develop a severe headache or any other unusual symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
• You may suffer a severe reaction if you combine Eldepryl with tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil and Tofranil, or with antidepressants that affect serotonin levels, such as Prozac and Paxil. Wait at least 14 days after taking Eldepryl before beginning therapy with any of these drugs. If you have been taking antidepressants such as Prozac and Paxil, you should wait at least 5 weeks before taking Eldepryl. This much time is needed to clear the antidepressant completely from your system.
• You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Drug Interaction :- If Eldepryl is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Eldepryl with the following:

• Antidepressant medications that raise serotonin levels, such as Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft
  
• Antidepressant medications classified as tricyclics, such as Elavil and Tofranil
  
• Narcotic painkillers such as Demerol, Percocet, and Tylenol with Codeine

Overdose

Although no specific information is available about Eldepryl overdosage, it is assumed, because of chemical similarities, that the symptoms would resemble those of overdose with an MAO inhibitor antidepressant. Symptoms of MAO inhibitor overdose may include:

• Agitation, chest pain, clammy skin, coma, convulsions, dizziness, drowsiness, extremely high fever, faintness, fast and irregular pulse, hallucinations, headache (severe), high blood pressure, hyperactivity, inability to breathe, irritability, lockjaw, low blood pressure (severe), shallow breathing, spasm of the entire body, sweating.