What Is the Selegiline Transdermal Patch Used For?

Some people may wonder, "What is the selegiline transdermal patch used for?" The selegiline transdermal patch is a prescription drug that is used to treat depression in adults. Since it has not been studied extensively in people under the age of 18, it is not approved for use in children and teenagers. The selegiline transdermal patch is a type of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) that works by increasing the amount of monoamines in the brain, which helps to relieve the symptoms of depression.

Selegiline Transdermal Patch (Emsam)

Selegiline Transdermal Patch Uses: An Overview

The

selegiline transdermal patch (Emsam^®) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression).

Depression is more than just "feeling sad." Some common symptoms of depression include:

Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or not enough)
Eating too much or too little (and weight gain or weight loss)
Having little interest in things that you used to enjoy
Physical pain
Feeling hopeless or worthless
Suicidal thoughts.

In large clinical trials, the selegiline transdermal patch has been proven to help adults with depression. While most monoamine oxidase inhibitors are usually used as a last resort when other antidepressants have failed, the selegiline transdermal patch is an option that may be considered much earlier. Because the selegiline transdermal patch (when used at the lowest dose) is less likely to interact with foods, it can be much easier to take, compared with other MAOIs. However, if you take anything but the lowest dose (6 mg per day), you will need to commit to following a strict diet (see Emsam Food Interactions). Everyone taking the selegiline transdermal patch at any dose needs to avoid many (if not most) medications, including over-the-counter products (see Drug Interactions With the Selegiline Transdermal Patch).

Counseling and therapy (see Psychotherapy for Depression) are often used along with antidepressant medication to treat depression. Ask your healthcare provider if counseling or therapy would be good options for you (see Depression Treatment).

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