Eldepryl Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Eldepryl Capsule contains selegiline hydrochloride, an MAO-B inhibitor used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, typically alongside levodopa and carbidopa. It works by slowing the breakdown of dopamine in the brain, helping to improve movement symptoms and reduce "off" periods. It is usually taken twice daily, and certain foods and medicines must be avoided during treatment due to the risk of serious reactions.

What is Eldepryl Capsule

Eldepryl is a prescription medicine containing selegiline hydrochloride. It is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, a brain condition that affects movement.

Eldepryl Capsule uses

• Treats symptoms of Parkinson's disease, usually given together with levodopa and carbidopa
• Used in patients already on levodopa/carbidopa who are having a worsening response to that treatment
• Can help reduce 'off' periods and uncontrolled movements that happen as levodopa wears off

Benefits of Eldepryl Capsule

• May help manage Parkinson's symptoms such as stiffness, tremor, and slow movement
• Can help smooth out on-off fluctuations seen with long-term levodopa treatment
• May allow the dose of levodopa/carbidopa to be lowered

How Eldepryl Capsule works

Eldepryl blocks an enzyme that normally breaks down dopamine in the brain. By slowing this breakdown, it keeps dopamine around longer, which helps improve movement problems caused by low dopamine levels in Parkinson's disease.

Eldepryl Capsule dosage

Take the capsule exactly as your doctor prescribed and follow all directions on the label. Capsules are usually taken twice a day, at breakfast and lunch. Swallow the dose with a large glass of water while standing upright. Do not change your dose or stop taking it suddenly without talking to your doctor first, as this can cause harmful effects. While taking this medicine and for a period after stopping it, avoid foods high in tyramine, such as aged cheeses, cured or fermented meats, pickled foods, and tap or unpasteurized beer. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose; do not take extra to make up for it.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule
• Tablet

Side effects of Eldepryl Capsule

Common

• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness, light-headedness, or feeling faint
• Dry mouth
• Headaches
• Sleep problems (insomnia) or vivid dreams/nightmares
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Body aches, pains, or increased fatigue
• Confusion or hallucinations
• Increased sweating

Serious

• Signs of allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Feeling like you might pass out
• Trouble breathing
• Confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior
• Increased tremors or uncontrolled muscle movements
• Signs of serotonin syndrome: agitation, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting
• Signs of dangerously high blood pressure: severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in neck or ears, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, pounding heartbeats, or seizures
• Increased or unusual urges, such as gambling, shopping, eating, or sexual urges

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can cause serious, dangerous reactions if combined with certain other medicines, including some antidepressants, opioid painkillers, and migraine medicines. Always tell your doctor about every medicine you take.
• Do not eat foods high in tyramine while taking this medicine and for some time after stopping, as this combination can raise your blood pressure to dangerous, life-threatening levels.
• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly, as this can cause harmful side effects. Always talk to your doctor before stopping.
• This medicine may cause unusual or intense urges, such as increased sexual desire or compulsive gambling, shopping, or eating. Tell your doctor if you notice this.
• Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to selegiline, if you take certain opioid pain medicines, or if you have taken fluoxetine within the past several weeks.
• People with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk of skin cancer (melanoma). Talk to your doctor about this risk and what skin changes to watch for.
• It is not known whether this medicine could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk or could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, as this medicine may need special caution in people with kidney problems.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, as this medicine may need special caution in people with liver problems.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, and avoid high-tyramine foods, as combining them with this medicine can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels.
• This medicine can affect your thinking or reactions, and some people have fallen asleep suddenly during normal daily activities, even while driving. Be careful doing anything that requires alertness until you know how the medicine affects you.

Storage

• Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
• Keep your tablets in the bottle until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the bottle, they may not keep as well.
• Keep ELDEPRYL tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C.
• Do not store ELDEPRYL tablets or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
• Do not leave it in the car or on windowsills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
• Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
• If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets which are left over.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you feel like you might pass out, have trouble breathing, become confused, have hallucinations or unusual behavior, or notice increased tremors or uncontrolled movements.
• Seek medical help right away if you have symptoms of high serotonin levels, such as agitation, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, or fainting.
• Get medical help immediately if you have symptoms of dangerously high blood pressure, such as a severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in the neck or ears, chest pain, shortness of breath, or seizures.
• If you think you or someone else may have taken too much of this medicine, get emergency medical help right away, even if there are no symptoms yet.

Alternatives

• Xadago
• Safinamide
• Azilect
• Rasagiline