Selegiline Transdermal Patch (Cont.)

The Selegiline Transdermal Patch and Tyramine

There are also monoamine oxidase enzymes (particularly MAO-A) in the digestive tract, and these enzymes are responsible for breaking down tyramine, a naturally occurring chemical (found in many foods and beverages) that affects blood pressure. MAOI medications stop 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).
 
While most MAOIs block the action of monoamine oxidase in the digestive tract (because they are taken by mouth), the selegiline transdermal patch (when used at the lowest dose, 6 mg) has little effect on digestive monoamine oxidase, since it is absorbed into the skin through a patch. However, higher doses of the selegiline transdermal patch may be more likely to interact with tyramine-rich foods. Because tyramine is found in many foods and beverages, people taking higher doses of the selegiline transdermal patch must follow a strict diet (see Emsam Food Interactions for more information).
 

Effects of the Selegiline Transdermal Patch

Studies have shown the selegiline transdermal patch to be effective for depression treatment in adults. In these studies, people who took the selegiline transdermal patch showed more improvement in depression symptoms than people who were not taking the medication. Also, long-term studies have shown that fewer people taking the selegiline transdermal patch have a depression relapse, compared with people not taking the medication.
 
(Selegiline Transdermal Patch Continued: Page 3)

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