Selegiline: Uses, Benefits, and Key Information

When working with Selegiline, a selective MAO‑B inhibitor prescribed for Parkinson’s disease and depression. Also known as L-deprenyl, it helps increase dopamine levels by preventing its breakdown, you’re tapping into a drug that directly affects the brain’s chemistry. Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by tremor, stiffness, and slowed movement is one of the main conditions where Selegiline shows clear benefit. The medication works because it is a MAO‑B inhibitor, a class of drugs that block the monoamine oxidase‑B enzyme, preserving dopamine in the brain. By preserving dopamine, the drug can slow motor symptom progression and, at lower doses, lift mood in people with depression. These relationships form a simple chain: Selegiline treats Parkinson's disease, Selegiline is a type of MAO‑B inhibitor, MAO‑B inhibitors increase dopamine, and higher dopamine can ease depression. The drug also comes in a transdermal patch, which delivers steady medication levels over 24 hours, reducing the peaks and valleys that oral dosing can cause. This patch option expands the ways patients can fit the treatment into their daily routine, especially for those who have trouble swallowing pills.

Practical points you’ll want to know

First, dosage matters. For Parkinson’s, doctors typically start with 5‑10 mg a day and may increase to 10‑15 mg as needed, while the depression dose is usually much lower, around 5 mg daily. The transdermal patch provides 6 mg/24 h or 9 mg/24 h options, and the skin site should be rotated to avoid irritation. Side effects are generally mild—dry mouth, nausea, and insomnia are the most common—but higher doses can raise blood pressure, especially when combined with certain foods or other medications that affect tyramine metabolism. Because Selegiline blocks MAO‑B, it can interact with other serotonergic drugs, increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome, so a full medication review is essential before starting. Monitoring is straightforward. Regular check‑ins with your doctor to track motor symptoms, mood changes, and blood pressure help catch issues early. Blood tests aren’t usually required unless you have liver concerns, but a blood pressure monitor at home can flag hypertension that sometimes sneaks in. If you’re considering the patch, make sure the skin is clean and dry before applying, and keep the patch away from heat sources, which can speed drug absorption. Finally, remember that Selegiline is not a cure; it’s a tool to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Lifestyle tweaks—balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and staying socially active—work hand‑in‑hand with medication. For many, the combination of a steady drug like Selegiline and supportive habits makes a noticeable difference in daily functioning. Below you’ll find a curated list of articles that dive deeper into each of these aspects, from dosage guidelines and side‑effect management to real‑world comparisons of oral versus patch forms. Use them to fine‑tune your understanding and get the most out of your Selegiline therapy.