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Antidepressants are a class of drugs that reduce symptoms of depressive disorders by correcting chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters in the brain. Chemical imbalances may be responsible for changes in mood and behavior.
Neurotransmitters are vital, as they are the communication link between nerve cells in the brain. Neurotransmitters reside within vesicles found in nerve cells, which are released by one nerve and taken up by other nerves. Neurotransmitters not taken up by other nerves are taken up by the same nerves that released them. This process is called "reuptake." The prevalent neurotransmitters in the brain specific to depression are serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine (also called noradrenaline).
In general, antidepressants work by inhibiting the reuptake of specific neurotransmitters, hence increasing their levels around the nerves within the brain, such...
Some products that may interact with selegiline include: antidepressants (such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, bupropion), other MAO inhibitors (furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, tranylcypromine), appetite suppressants (such as diethylpropion, sibutramine), drugs for attention deficit disorder (such as atomoxetine, methylphenidate), buspirone, carbamazepine/oxcarbazepine, cyclobenzaprine, dextromethorphan, certain herbal products (such as ephedra/ma huang, St. John's wort), cold medications/nasal decongestants (such as phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine), certain narcotic medications (meperidine, methadone, propoxyphene), street drugs (such as MDMA/"ecstasy", LSD, mescaline), stimulants (such as amphetamines, ephedrine), supplements (such as tryptophan, tyramine), tramadol.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using any of these medications before, during, or within 2 weeks after treatment with selegiline. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have taken fluoxetine during at least 5 weeks before starting selegiline. Discuss with your doctor how much time to wait between starting or stopping any of these drugs and taking selegiline.
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy, cough-and-cold products, diet pills) because they may contain dextromethorphan, decongestants, or stimulants. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (such as phenytoin), medicine for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine, fentanyl), psychiatric medicines (such as chlorpromazine, lithium, risperidone, trazodone).
It is very important that you follow special dietary restrictions in order to limit the amount of tyramine in your diet if you are using the higher strength patches (9 or 12 milligrams). Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, colas) or eating large amounts of chocolate. Caffeine can increase the side effects of this medication. Foods and beverages high in tyramine should be avoided while you are using this medication and for at least 2 weeks after you stop using this medication.
Foods high in tyramine include: aged cheeses (cheddar, camembert, emmenthaler, brie, stilton blue, gruyere, gouda, brick, bleu, roquefort, boursault, parmesan, romano, provolone, liederdranz, colby, edam), aged/dried/fermented/salted/smoked/pickled/processed meats and fish (includes bacon, summer sausage, liverwurst, hot dogs, corned beef, pepperoni, salami, bologna, ham, mortadella, pickled or dried herring), banana peel, beef/chicken liver (stored, not fresh), bouillon cubes, commercial gravies, concentrated yeast extracts, fava beans, Italian green beans, broad beans, fermented bean curd, homemade yeast-leavened bread, kim chee (Korean fermented cabbage), orange pulp, overripe or spoiled fruits, packaged soups, red wine, sauerkraut, sherry, snow pea pods, sourdough bread, soy sauce, soybeans, soybean paste/miso, tofu, tap beer and ale, vermouth.
Moderate-to-low tyramine content foods include: alcohol-free beer, avocados, bananas, bottled beer and ale, chocolate and products made with chocolate, coffee, cola, cultured dairy products (e.g. buttermilk, yogurt, sour cream), distilled spirits, eggplant, canned figs, fish roe (caviar), green bean pods, pate, peanuts, port wine, raisins, raspberries, red plums, spinach, tomatoes, white wine.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you notice symptoms of high blood pressure such as fast/slow heartbeat, vomiting, sweating, headache, chest pain, sudden vision changes, weakness on one side of the body, or slurred speech.
Contact your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor, pharmacist, dietician) for more information, including recommendations for your diet.
OVERDOSE: This medication may be harmful if swallowed. If overdose or swallowing is suspected, remove the patch if possible. Contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood pressure) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is close to the time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not apply 2 doses to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not open the foil pouch until you are ready to use the patch. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed (See How to Use section).
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
Information last revised January 2011 Copyright(c) 2011 First DataBank, Inc.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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