Selegiline, Zelapar

Introduction

Written by Julz Richterman, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD 
Updated on November 22, 2023

Selegiline (se LE ji leen) is a generic medication prescribed as add-on therapy with levodopa/carbidopa for Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonism. Selegiline belongs to a group of drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Common questions about selegiline

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about selegiline.

Can selegiline be used for dogs?

Yes, selegiline is prescribed by veterinarians to treat certain conditions in dogs. But selegiline made for use in people isn’t the same as selegiline made for use in animals. The brand name of selegiline for dogs is Anipryl.

Speak with your veterinarian to learn more about whether selegiline is right for your dog. Do not give any medications to your pets without first checking with your veterinarian.

What brand names are available for selegiline?

The brand name for selegiline capsules and tablets was Eldepryl, but the brand-name version is no longer available. Instead, they are available as generic drugs.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less compared to brand-name drugs.

Other brand-name medications are also available that contain selegiline as the active drug, including:

• Zelapar, a tablet that melts in your mouth
• Emsam, a patch that allows the medication to be absorbed through your skin*

* Emsam patch is approved for a different use than selegiline tablet, selegiline capsule, and Zelapar.

Generic versions of these forms are not currently available.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about the difference between brand-name and generic medications.

How does selegiline work? And how long does it take to start working?

While the mechanism of action (how a drug works) of selegiline is not fully understood, there’s some knowledge on how it works. Selegiline belongs to a group of drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Monoamine oxidases are enzymes that break down chemical messengers, including dopamine. MAOI drugs block these enzymes. Selegiline specifically targets the MAO type that’s found in your brain.

Many people with Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonism are prescribed levodopa/carbidopa, which is a medication that replaces dopamine. As Parkinson’s disease progresses, levodopa/carbidopa does not work as well. When this happens, adding selegiline can be helpful because it stops dopamine from breaking down. This can reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonism. It can also help levodopa/carbidopa work better.

Using selegiline without levodopa has not been shown to be beneficial.

You may notice improvement within 1–2 weeks of starting selegiline. But it usually takes 4–6 weeks to notice the drug’s full effects.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects of selegiline

Selegiline may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of selegiline and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about selegiline’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for selegiline listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of selegiline are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of selegiline you take.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about selegiline’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for selegiline listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Selegiline oral capsule’s mild side effects include:

• nausea
• confusion
• dry mouth
• dizziness or fainting
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for selegiline” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of selegiline are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of selegiline you take.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about selegiline’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for selegiline listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, selegiline’s serious side effects include: 

• irregular heartbeat or chest pain
• loss of impulse control (examples include urges to gamble and sexual urges)
• hallucinations
• changes in blood pressure
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for selegiline” section.

Interactions and warnings for selegiline

Below, you’ll find information about selegiline’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of selegiline

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take selegiline, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs 
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for selegiline” section below.

Warnings for selegiline

Some people should not take selegiline, and others should take it cautiously.

Selegiline could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether selegiline is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for selegiline, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Selegiline can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to selegiline or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe selegiline. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of selegiline you take.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to selegiline, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of selegiline

You should not take more selegiline than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much selegiline, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and selegiline

Information about selegiline and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Selegiline and pregnancy

It’s not known whether selegiline should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Selegiline and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether selegiline should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Uses of selegiline

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as selegiline for certain conditions. Approved uses for selegiline are described below.

Use for Parkinson’s disease

Doctors may prescribe selegiline as add-on therapy with levodopa/carbidopa for managing Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonism. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With Parkinson’s disease, nerves in your brain that control movement stop working as well. This makes it more difficult for them to make a chemical messenger called dopamine. When this happens, dopamine can be replaced by taking a medication called levodopa/carbidopa. But over time, it stops managing your symptoms as well and begins to wear off more quickly.

This is when selegiline can help improve symptom management.

Selegiline is prescribed together with levodopa/carbidopa for Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonism.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about selegiline or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Is selegiline safe to take with my other medications?
• Should I take selegiline at a certain time each day?
• What should I do if I miss a dose?
• What foods and drinks should I avoid during selegiline treatment?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Green Book: Approved animal drug products. https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/views/
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Selegiline hydrochloride tablets. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f286c854-3b8c-44a8-b3b5-c828dbabb207/spl-doc
• Selegiline hydrochloride capsules. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/df88d6bf-0fda-3825-e053-2a95a90a3a75/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.