Emsam
Selegiline
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Emsam
Emsam is a MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor group of medicine. The exact mechanism of action of Emsam is not known.
Therapeutic Uses of Emsam
Emsam is used mainly in the treatment of depression. But it can also be used in other conditions if your doctor decides.
Direction of use of Emsam
Take Emsam as your doctor tells you to take it. Emsam should be taken with a glass of water along with food or on empty stomach. If you have question about Emsam, consult your doctor or other health care provider.
Dose of Emsam, if Missed
Take missed dose of Emsam as soon as you can or as soon as you can remember it. If you have missed a dose of Emsam for long time and it is near time for the next regular dose; skip the missed dose and take the regular dose of Emsam as usual. Do not take 2 doses of it at a time.
How to Store Emsam
Emsam should be stored at room temperature (between 68 and 77 degrees F or 20 and 25 degrees C). Emsam has to be kept out of reach of children. Store it away from light, heat and moisture and in a dry, cool place.
More Information About Emsam
If there is no improvement of symptoms of depression after using it for at least 4 week, consult your doctor. Emsam should not be shared with any body. It should be used by the patient for whom it is prescribed.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Emsam
Emsam should not be used if you have any of the following conditions and you should consult your doctor:
- If you have allergy to any of the ingredients of Emsam.
- If you are taking fluoxetine at present or taken it in last 1 month.
- If you are taking 5-HT (hydroxyl tryptamin) agonist medicines like sumatriptan, or you are on carbamazepine, nefazodone, oxcarbazepine, apraclonidine etc.
- If you are suffering from adrenal gland problems like pheochromocytoma.
- If you have to undergo major surgical procedures requiring general anesthesia or you are taking cocaine or local anesthetics containing sympathomimetic vasoconstrictors.
- If you are taking another MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor (phenelzine), a product for common cold or diet pills (ephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine etc.) a sympathomimetic (amphetamine) or you have taken these medicines in the last one week.
- If you are taking the following medicines or taken in the last 7 days. These medicines include, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) like paroxetine; serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) like duloxetine, venlafaxine; tricyclic antidepressant like amitriptyline; tramadol, mirtazapine, buspirone, bupropion, methadone, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor like atomoxetine etc.
Some medical conditions can interact with Emsam and you shoud inform your doctor or other health care provider if you have any of the following conditions:
- If you have food allergy, allergy to any medicine or any other substance.
- If you are pregnant, breast feeding or planning to have child.
- If you are taking any prescription medicine, non prescription medicine, any dietary supplement or any herbal preparation.
- If you have peptic ulcer, epilepsy, any metabolic disorder, any blood disorder or heart problem like heart attack.
- If you have any bipolar psychiatric disorder like mania, mood disorder, suicidal tendency or suicidal thoughts, or suicidal attempts. If you have uncontrolled muscle movements like involuntary movements of the hands and legs or twitching of the face and tongue etc.
Some medicines can also interact with Emsam. You should inform your doctor or other health care provider if you are taking any medicines listed below:
- Apraclonidine, buspirone etc. can cause very high blood pressure if taken with Emsam. Tramadol can cause more frequent incidences of seizures.
- Emsam may increase the side effects of medicines like methylphenidate, 5-HT agonists (sumatriptan) insulin, anti diabetic medicines like nateglinide, glipizide etc.
- The side effects of Emsam may be increased by medicines like oxcarbazepine, carbamazepine etc.
- Medicines like tryptophan and nefazodone can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fever, heart trouble or mood change.
- Serotonin syndrome may occur with medicines like norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor like atomoxetine; methadone, serotonin or norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) like venlafaxine and duloxetine; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) like fluoxetine; sympathomimetics like amphetamine, phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine etc. antidepressant like mirtazapine; tricyclic antidepressant like amitriptyline; MAOI like phenelzine; bupropion etc. The characteristic symptoms and signs of serotonin syndrome are fever, muscle rigidity, change in mood, high or low blood pressure, high or low pulse rate, change in respiratory rate etc.
Possible Adverse Effects
- Consult your doctor if common side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, insomnia or dryness in the mouth etc. become bothersome or remain for longer duration.
- Get immediate medical attention if any of the serious side effects develop in you while taking Emsam. Serious side effects are severe allergic reactions, persistent vomiting, severe headache, anxiety, prolonged sleeplessness, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, impulsiveness, panic attacks, neck stiffness, abnormal thinking, exaggerated sense of well being, loss of memory, changes in sexual ability, changes in sexual desire, pain in the chest, dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation, photophobia, restlessness, worsening of agitation, swelling of hands and/or legs, fast, and irregular heartbeat etc. The manifestations of allergic reactions are itching, skin rash, breathing difficulty, chest discomfort, swelling of face, mouth, tongue, lips etc.
