Eldepryl

Eldepryl

Eldepryl

What is Eldepryl?

Eldepryl capsules are used along with levodopa and carbidopa to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Eldepryl may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Serious drug interactions may occur when certain medications are used at the same time as Eldepryl.Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medications you are taking now and any medications you are starting or stopping taking.

While taking Eldepryl, do not drink alcohol or eat foods high in tyramine listed in the “What should I avoid while taking Eldepryl?” section. are listed. section of this brochure. Consuming tyramine while using selegiline can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels and cause life-threatening symptoms.

Do not stop taking Eldepryl suddenly or you may experience harmful side effects. Continue taking the medicine as prescribed. Talk to your doctor before stopping the medication.

You may experience increased sexual desire, unusual urges to play, or other strong urges while taking this medication. Talk to your doctor if you think you have strong or unusual cravings while taking Eldepryl.

Before you take this medicine

You should not use Eldepryl if you are allergic to selegiline or if you have taken fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem and others) within the last 5 weeks.

Some medicines may cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Eldepryl. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• cough medicine containing dextromethorphan;

• Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril);

• Meperidine (Demerol) or other narcotic (opioid) painkillers;

• methadone;

• St. John's wort;

• tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet);

• an antidepressant – citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluvoxamine, levomilnacipran, milnacipran, mirtazapine, nefazodone, paroxetine, venlafaxine, vilazodone, vortioxetine and others; or

• an MAO inhibitor – isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine and others.

After you stop taking Eldepryl, you must wait at least 14 days before taking any of the medications listed above.

To make sure Eldepryl is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver or kidney disease;

• high blood pressure; or

People with Parkinson's disease may be at higher risk of skin cancer (melanoma). Talk to your doctor about this risk and what skin symptoms you should look out for.

It is not known whether Eldepryl will harm an unborn child. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

It is not known whether selegiline passes into breast milk or whether it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.

How should I take Eldepryl?

Take Eldepryl exactly as prescribed. All instructions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to ensure you get the best results. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Do not change your dosage or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

Eldepryl capsules are usually taken twice daily with breakfast and lunch. Follow your doctor's instructions.

While you are using Eldepryl and for 14 days after you stop using it, do not do any of the things listed in the “What should I avoid?” section. eat the foods listed. section of this brochure.Eating these foods while using selegiline can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Foods you CAN eat include:

• fresh meat, poultry or fish (including lunch meats, hot dogs, breakfast sausage and cooked ham);

• any vegetables except broad bean pods (broad beans);

• processed cheese, mozzarella, ricotta, cottage cheese;

• pizza with low tyramine cheeses;

• soy milk, yogurt; or

• Beer or baker's yeast.

Do not stop taking Eldepryl suddenly or you may experience harmful side effects. For best results, continue to take the medication as directed.

Store this medicine at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

Symptoms of overdose may include severe headache, hallucinations, blurred vision, sweating, cool or clammy skin, fast or uneven heartbeat, lightheadedness, fainting, or seizures.

What to avoid

Avoid alcohol while taking Eldepryl.

Do NOT eat foods high in tyramine while taking Eldepryl and for 14 days after you stop taking it, including:

• Air-dried meat, aged or fermented meat, sausage or salami (including cacciatore and mortadella), pickled herring;

• spoiled or improperly stored beef, poultry, fish or liver;

• Draft beer, unpasteurized beer;

• aged cheese (such as blue cheese, Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, Parmesan or Romano cheese);

• over-the-counter dietary supplements or cough and cold products that contain tyramine;

• sauerkraut, soybeans, soy sauce, tofu, broad beans; or

• Yeast extracts (such as Marmite).

Consuming tyramine while using selegiline can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels, which can lead to life-threatening side effects. You should carefully familiarize yourself with the list of foods that you should avoid while using Eldepryl.

Eldepryl may affect your thinking or reactions. Some people taking this medicine have fallen asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. You may suddenly fall asleep even if you feel alert. Be careful when driving or doing anything that requires your attention.

Side effects of Eldepryl

If necessary, get emergency medical helpSigns of an allergic reaction to Eldepryl: hives; difficult breathing; Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, as if you were going to faint;

• difficulty breathing;

• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;

• increased shaking or uncontrolled muscle movements;

• worsening side effects of your other medications;

• high levels of serotonin in the body (when taken with an antidepressant) – restlessness, fever, rapid heartbeat, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting; or

• dangerously high blood pressure - severe headache, blurred vision, throbbing in the neck or ears, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or seizures.

You may experience increased sexual desire, unusual urges to play, or other strong urges while taking this medicine. In this case, talk to your doctor.

Common side effects of Eldepryl may include:

• Dizziness;

• nausea, stomach pain, constipation;

• rash or other irritation;

• sleep problems (insomnia); or

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Eldepryl?

Many medications can interact with selegiline and some medications should not be used together. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take and about the medicines you start or stop taking while taking Eldepryl. Give any doctor who treats you a list of all your medications.

More information

Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Eldepryl only for the prescribed indication.