What Is Orally Disintegrating Selegiline Used For? (Cont.)

How Does Orally Disintegrating Selegiline Work?

Orally disintegrating selegiline belongs to a class of medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
 
A dopamine deficiency, caused by a loss of dopamine-producing cells in certain parts of the brain, may be responsible for many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. An enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO) breaks down monoamine chemicals, including dopamine. By inhibiting MAO enzymes, orally disintegrating selegiline helps increase the amount of dopamine that the brain can use, which helps relieve symptoms of Parkinson's.
 
There are two types of MAO: type A and B. MAO-B is the main form in the brain and is also found in blood platelets. Although there is some MAO-A in the brain, it is found primarily in the digestive tract. MAO-A is responsible for breaking down dietary tyramine, an amino acid that affects blood pressure. Any medication that inhibits MAO-A stops the body's ability to break down tyramine and can cause a person's tyramine levels to become too high, which can be extremely dangerous. Although orally disintegrating selegiline is "selective" for MAO-B, it can inhibit MAO-A to some extent, especially at higher doses.
 

Is Orally Disintegrating Selegiline Used in Children?

Orally disintegrating selegiline is not approved for use in children. This makes sense, as Parkinson's disease is not likely to occur in children.
 

Is Orally Disintegrating Selegiline Used for Off-Label Reasons?

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend orally disintegrating selegiline for something other than Parkinson's disease. This is known as an "off-label" use. Off-label orally disintegrating selegiline uses include treating the following conditions:
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;