Selegiline Transdermal Patch

Transdermal selegiline comes as a patch to apply to the skin. It is usually applied once a day and left in place for 24 hours. Remove your old selegiline patch and apply a new patch at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use transdermal selegiline exactly as directed. Do not apply more patches or apply patches more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of transdermal selegiline and gradually increase your dose, not more often than once every 2 weeks.

Transdermal selegiline controls depression but does not cure it. Your condition may begin to improve after you have used transdermal selegiline for one week or longer. However, you should continue to use transdermal selegiline even if you feel well. Do not stop using transdermal selegiline without talking to your doctor.

Apply selegiline patches to dry, smooth skin anywhere on your upper chest, your back (between your neck and your waist), your upper thigh, or the outer surface of your upper arm. Choose an area where the patch will not be rubbed by tight clothing. Do not apply selegiline patches to skin that is hairy, oily, irritated, broken, scarred, or calloused.

After you apply a selegiline patch, you should wear it all the time until you are ready to remove it and put on a fresh patch. If the patch loosens or falls off before it is time to replace it, try to press it back in place with your fingers. If the patch cannot be pressed back on, dispose of it and apply a fresh patch to a different area. Replace the fresh patch at your regularly scheduled patch change time.

Do not cut selegiline patches.

While you are wearing a selegiline patch, protect the patch from direct heat such as heating pads, electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, and heated water beds. Do not expose the patch to direct sunlight for very long.

To use the patches, follow these steps:

1. Choose the area where you will apply the patch. Wash the area with soap and warm water. Rinse off all of the soap and dry the area with a clean towel.
2. Open the protective pouch and remove the patch.
3. Peel the first piece of liner off the sticky side of the patch. A second strip of liner should remain stuck to the patch.
4. Press the patch firmly onto your skin with the sticky side down. Be careful not to touch the sticky side with your fingers.
5. Remove the second strip of protective liner and press the rest of the sticky side of the patch firmly against your skin. Be sure that the patch is pressed flat against the skin with no bumps or folds and that it is firmly attached.
6. Wash your hands with soap and water to remove any medicine that may have gotten on them. Do not touch your eyes until you have washed your hands.
7. After 24 hours, peel the patch off slowly and gently. Fold the patch in half with the sticky sides together and dispose of it safely, so that is out of reach of children and pets. Children and pets can be harmed if they chew on, play with, or wear used patches.
8. Wash the area that was under the patch with mild soap and warm water to remove any residue. If necessary, you can use baby oil or a medical adhesive removal pad to remove residue that will not come off with soap and water. Do not use alcohol, nail polish remover, or other solvents.
9. Apply a new patch to a different area immediately by following steps 1 to 6.

If you forget to change your patch after 24 hours, remove the old patch, apply a new patch as soon as you remember and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply an extra patch to make up for a missed dose.

• Emsam^®

SELEGILINE (se LE ji leen) is an monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). It is used to treat major depression.

This drug also comes in other forms, including Oral capsule, Orally disintegrating solid, Oral tablet

This drug can cause serious side effects. See which side effects you should report to your doctor right away.

Know how to use your medication, and learn what might happen if you miss a dose.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions.

Know what to watch for and get tips for reducing your risks while taking this drug.

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• angry, excitable, panic attack, mania, restless
• breathing problems
• chest pain
• eyes more sensitive to light, enlarged pupils
• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• fever, clammy skin, sweaty
• high blood pressure
• irregular heartbeat
• pain passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• seizures
• suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
• trouble sleeping

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation or diarrhea
• cough
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches, pains
• stomach gas, upset
• swelling of the feet or legs
• unusual taste in mouth

This medicine is for external use only. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Remove the patch from the pouch by tearing at the notches on the sides of the pouch. Do not use scissors. Apply the patch to dry, smooth skin on the upper back, upper chest, upper thigh, or to the outer part of the upper arm. Do not cut or trim the patch. Avoid applying to injured, irritated, calloused, or scarred areas. Use only 1 patch at a time. Remove the old patch before applying a new one. Each time you apply a new patch, use a new area of skin on the upper back, upper chest, upper thigh, or to the outer part of the upper arm. Do not apply to the exact same site. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. This medicine is not approved for use in children. Do not use in children under 12 years of age.

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• bipolar disease
• dizzy or fainting spells
• frequently drink alcohol-containing beverages
• heart problems
• history of a suicide attempt
• pheochromocytoma
• seizures
• an unusual or allergic reaction to selegiline, other medicines or patches, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, apply only that dose. Do not apply double or extra doses.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse. Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Because it may take several weeks to see the full effects of this medicine, it is important to continue your treatment as prescribed by your doctor.

Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. Also watch out for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.

If your doctor or health care professional increases the dose of this medicine to more than 9 mg a day, ask about possible interactions with foods that contain tyramine. At higher doses, this medicine may interact with these foods to produce severe headaches, a rise in blood pressure, or irregular heart beat.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Do not take any medications for weight loss without advice either. Some ingredients in these products may increase possible side effects.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

Tell your health care professional that you are taking this medicine if you are scheduled to have any surgery, procedure or medical testing. You should usually stop taking this drug at least 10 days before elective surgery.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Keep this medicine in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it. When you remove a patch, fold with sticky sides together, put in an empty opened pouch and throw away. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.