Selegiline

Excerpt

Selegiline, a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an adjunct treatment for patients with Parkinson disease and a major depressive disorder in adults. The MAO enzymes are responsible for catabolizing neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. Blocking these enzymes from functioning will inhibit the reuptake of these neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, resulting in elevated levels of biologically active monoamines at the synaptic cleft. Selegiline also has off-label uses for managing early Parkinson disease and treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. This activity provides an overview of selegiline's indications, mechanism of action, methods of administration, significant adverse effects, contraindications, and monitoring. This information also enhances the competence of healthcare team members to guide patient therapy effectively and treat indicated disorders as part of an interprofessional team.