Selegiline

[ldq1997]

Has anyone ever tried the Ensam transdermal method of delivery for Selegiline?. It is said that taken transdermally, there is less likelihood of tyramine induced blood pressure spikes, migraine headaches, etc. There is some opinion that the likelihood of these side effects has been eliminated all together with Ensam. However, apparently Ensam is only intended for use against depression. Is there any reason why Ensam can't be used for Parkinson's?

[etterus]

I have taken it for 2 months for depression. I don't think it helped the PD symptoms or the depression. I do not have tremors much; more bradykinetic with dystonia. Ensam is very expensive.

[ldq1997]

Thanks for the info. The idea of the patch is very appealing. I am sorry it appears not to work.

[Susie01]

I have not tried it, but as everything else, what might work for one of us does no positive affects on someone else with PD. Talk to your prescribing doctor would be my advice.

[ldq1997]

I do intend to ask my doctor when I see him next, but I am quite sure he had no experience with using Selegiline patches for Parkinson's. I went to the website for Selegiline and they only speak of using the patches for depression. I am usually able to find information of this type on the internet if I spend enough time, but I am having no luck now.

[fwes]

My understanding is that Azilect (Rasagiline) was introduced to offset some of the adverse reactions to Selegiline: Reference" Selegiline and rasagiline: twins or distant cousins? Guidelines." ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/212...

This site also provides links to 5 other references: Related citations in PubMed

I suggest that you ask your doctor if Azilect might provide similar benefits to Selegiline with less risk.

[ldq1997 in reply to fwes]

My interest in Selegiline is because it is apparently identical to Deprenyl, a drug which is well known and highly regarded in Europe. Deprenyl is used for depression, Parkinson's and anti-aging (including protection against Alzheimer's). It is said that if you start taking Deprenyl before you are 40, your life can be extended by 20 years. The FDA, however, does not allow these claims to be made for Selegiline, regardless of European experience with the drug. My doctor has already recommmended Azilect and I have already researched the issue and decided that Selegiline is preferable because, unlike Azilect, it is an anti-depressant and presumably also offers some anti-aging effects. Azilect produces the identical bad side effects when foods containing tyramine are consumed so I do not understand which adverse reactions to Selegliine are offset by Azilect. Besides Selegiline, unlike Azilect, is available as Ensam, a transdermal patch, which overcomes most of the tyramine problems. Using transdermal Selegiline for Parkinson's would be an off-label use, however. Alternatively, I understand that sublingual use of Selegiline achieves the same avoidance of the tyramine side effects as does transdermal application.