Emsam (Selegiline)

        Emsam is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, which used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This is a case of the brain that affects motion. People with Parkinson's disease do not have enough nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls movement. These nerve cells produce a substance called dopamine. It is a lack of dopamine which causes problems with movement. Emsam  Tablets keep dopamine around longer, helping with difficulties in movement. Emsam has no anti-Parkinson effects of its own and must always be given in combination with levodopa/carbidopa.

        Take it orally every day after breakfast and lunch. Do not drink or eat anything for at least 5 minutes after taking an Emsam orally disintegrating tablet. The recommended dose for adults is 10 mg per day divided into 2 smaller doses of 5 mg. Note: this instruction presented here just for review. It's very necessary to consult with your doctor before using. It helps you to get the best results.

        You must not eat foods that are high in tyramine, including pickled herring, air-dried meats, aged or fermented meats, poultry, sausage or salami, and any spoiled or improperly stored beef, fish, or liver; aged cheeses, including blue, brick, Bourgault, brie, cheddar, camembert, Emmenthaler, parmesan, romano, gruyere, Roquefort, stilton and swiss; beer from a tap, a beer that has not been pasteurized; over-the-counter supplements or cough and cold medicines that contain tyramine; sauerkraut, soybeans, soy sauce, tofu, miso soup, bean curd, fava beans; or yeast extracts. Eating tyramine while you are taking this drug can increase your blood pressure to dangerous levels which could cause life-threatening side effects. Emsam should be administered cautiously to patients with peptic or duodenal ulcer, labile hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, severe angina pectoris, severe liver or kidney dysfunction or psychosis. In higher doses (>30 mg daily) the attenuation of selegiline begins to decrease resulting in increased inhibition of MAO-A. Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting may intervene, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. So you may get up slowly, but if the problem continues or gets worse, consult your doctor. Emsam should not be used during pregnancy, becoming pregnant or lactating without doctor's advice. Do not use Emsam before breast-feeding without doctor's permission.

        Emsam is not allowed to people who are hypersensitive to selegiline or other components of the formulation. Do not take Demerol or such types of narcotic while you are taking Emsam. Also do not use Emsam if you have used any of the following drugs within the past 14 days: meperidine, propoxyphene, or tramadol; methadone; cough or cold medicine that contains dextromethorphan; or other MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine, phenelzine, rasagiline, or transdermal selegiline.

        They may include all types of an allergic reaction. Also, the most possible side effects include confusion, sudden and severe headache, blurred vision, nausea, problems with speech or balance, vomiting, seizure, chest pain and sudden numbness or weakness; feeling light-headed, fainting; hallucinations; feeling restless, agitated, or irritable; twitching muscle movements; painful or difficult urination. Less serious include dizziness, weakness; sleep problems (insomnia); runny or stuffy nose; back pain; constipation; If you experience one of them stop using Emsam and tell your doctor as soon as possible. Also, consult with your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual.

        Emsam interacts with the following list of drugs: diet pills or cold medicines that contain ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylephrine; carbamazepine; nafcillin; rifampin; an antidepressant such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, bupropion, citalopram, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, imipramine, nortriptyline, paroxetine, protriptyline, sertraline, venlafaxine, or trimipramine; phenobarbital. Also, note that the interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. As usual, it affects the effect of drugs, so consult with your doctor about how it interactions are being managed or should be managed.

        If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not increase your recommended dose. Take your usual dose next day in the same regularly time.

        Symptoms of Emsam overdose may include severe headache, vision problems, sweating, hallucinations, feeling light-headed, cool or clammy skin, fast or uneven heart rate, fainting, or seizure. If you experience one of them or any unusual symptoms call your doctor immediately.

        Store at room temperature between 20-25 C (68-77 F).