Is Zelapar Right
for You?
Zelapar® (selegiline HCl) is prescribed
for PD patients as an addition to treatment with levodopa/carbidopa
when they are having a reduced response to this therapy. Patients
may notice, for example, that symptoms return before it’s
time for their next dose. When once-daily Zelapar is added to levodopa/carbidopa
medications, patients experience more active hours.
Zelapar is a novel form of selegiline
because it dissolves in the mouth within seconds. This means
that more active drug is delivered to the brain.
What difference will I notice if I take Zelapar?
Within one week patients should notice more
active hours per day.
Are there any reasons not to take Zelapar?
Zelapar is not recommended:
- If you are taking mereperidine or
other opiods
- If you are taking tricyclic antidepressants
or SSRIs.
- At doses exceeding 2.5 mg/day
- If you are hypersensitive
to selegiline or any of the inactive ingredients in Zelapar.
Rare cases of hypertensive reactions have
been reported when patients have taken the recommended daily
dose of conventional (tablets you have to swallow) selegiline
and have eaten foods containing tyramine.
In general, at least 14 days should
pass between treatment with a tricyclic antidepressant and
treatment with Zelapar,
and five weeks between treatment with Prozac® (fluoxetine) and treatment with Zelapar.
Remember that only your doctor can say for
sure whether Zelapar is the right solution. Use the Doctor Visit checklist to
start the dialogue.
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