Selegiline User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2019

Selegiline for Major Depressive Disorder "I’ve tried so many psychotropic drugs for the last 30 years, resulting in untoward side effects or ineffectiveness. My psychiatrist referred me for a second opinion med consult, and the doctor I saw put me on Emsam for my MDD. I’ve been on 6 mg for 3 weeks, and I noticed a difference in about a week. I feel like the doom is lifting, and I’m not as depressed. What amazes me is I have no flat feelings at all, which is something that has left me feeling less than human on SSRIs. I will be upping my dose after a month. Insomnia is a problem, but I have it anyway, so it's hard to tell what’s what. I’m still feeling anxious and tired, but it’s much less, and I hope with time that will get better. Also, it’s tricky to get the patch to stay on, but I found a good spot that works for me. I put mine on the top of my thigh, and that seems to be okay. So... what I’m trying to say... so far I like it!"

• san...
• February 9, 2008

Selegiline for Depression "Emsam had helped me with my depression, however, I had several issues when taking this medication. 1. Fatigue 2. Leg cramps 3. Stiffness of joints 4. Mood swings 5. Irritability. I noticed a dramatic decrease in these symptoms after I had stopped using the Emsam patch. Believe me, I wanted this to work so badly. I have tried several other medications with various side effects and was hoping for a miracle."

• Mid...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 3, 2022

Selegiline for Major Depressive Disorder "I'm a psychiatrist with multiple episodes of uncomplicated, treatment-resistant major depression. SSRIs, SNRIs, combination treatments: most helped for a few months to a year or so. Emsam has helped the most in terms of degree of symptom relief (90%+) and in terms of length of benefit (years). Orthostatic hypotension and delayed ejaculation are the most troublesome side effects for me. After carefully reading the primary information and monitoring blood pressure, I no longer worry about food interactions even though I'm on the 12 mg/d dose. Then again, I don't eat, like, 3 oz. of blue cheese, either. But medication interactions are still a big concern. I wear a MedicAlert tag that says 'MAOI = Emsam' to warn docs in case I'm seen in the ER. Frankly, this drug is a very clever miracle of modern psychopharmacology and pharmaceutics."

• joh...
• April 18, 2012

For ADHD "I take 5 mg selegiline after 16.8 g fish oil and lithium ER [for bipolar] first thing in the morning so selegiline metabolites don't mess up my sleep. Selegiline needs oil to be absorbed well. It's like a stimulant that affects your body [heart rate, salivation, nasal congestion, wakefulness] rather than your mind - no mania. Selegiline helps me with separating out simultaneous conversations in crowded places and eavesdropping, paying attention, not daydreaming, boredom, and picturing stuff in my head. The lithium helps with inhibiting impulsiveness. You have to respond to stimulants or selegiline fails."

• dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2016

Selegiline for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on 6 mg for a week now. I know I will probably need to be on 12 mg, as I think I'm probably one of the most rapid drug metabolizers there is, but I can tell things are different again. I've tried Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Trazodone, and the traditional MAOI Parnate, and the only one that helped at all was Parnate, which I stopped because of swollen ankles but actually started again this time when I withdrew from Cymbalta again before starting Emsam. Parnate and Emsam actually lower my BP. I also take 40 mg Adderall 3x a day and Claritin D and don't have hypertensive crisis or SS. MAOIs are the only AD that don't make me numb, and hopefully at 9 or 12 mg it will be great. I get upset easier, but I am happy easier too."

• Sun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 29, 2021

Selegiline for Depression "Excellent medication for treatment-resistant, severe, recurrent atypical depression. Expensive ($2000/mo retail), but I'm on disability for lifelong depression (since age 19 - I'm 54 now), so it costs $4. Got rid of my severe, lifelong depression; made me social again - kind of like a bright light switch being turned on in a dark, forgotten room. Girlfriend says it's like 'night and day.' Side effects: insomnia treated with low-dose quetiapine (Seroquel 100-175 mg); adhesive site reaction (itchy rash) prevented by using dry skin lotion to massage into the area between the patch and skin as it is slowly peeled off. Started at 6 mg/24 hr patch and increased to 9, then 12 mg/24 hr patch (maximum dose). Psychiatrists younger than about 60 tend to have little experience prescribing and managing MAO inhibitors, of which Emsam is one; even though MAOIs are the best antidepressants for treatment-resistant, severe, recurrent depression. Emsam (selegiline), Parnate, Nardil, and Marplan are US FDA approved."

• Dia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2020

Selegiline for Major Depressive Disorder "I have been taking Emsam 6 mg for almost two months. I initially was feeling pretty good, but the last 21 days I have been very depressed and full of anxiety. I have tried almost every other antidepressant, SNRI, and mood stabilizer. I also did two rounds of TMS. I really want this medicine to work and want to stay at the 6 mg because of the possible strokes from eating foods high in tyramine. I do suffer from insomnia but take clonazepam 0.5 mg, and that has helped. Just wish I knew why I have been so depressed and full of anxiety."

• Smi...
• April 24, 2019

Selegiline for Depression "I don't need to go into detail here about how terrifying going through your first depressive episode is. I was prescribed 6 mg Emsam. I didn't notice an improvement for the first three weeks. When I was bumped up to 9 mg, I began to laugh again. I was able to function again. I'm to a comparable state to where I was before my depressive episode, however, with a few alterations in my personality. The negatives: insomnia - It is rare when I am able to sleep through the night. I often wake up in the middle of the night and have a lot of difficulty falling back asleep. My psychiatrist recommended that I take off the patch before going to bed, but this put me in a really weird mood in the morning. The irritability - I notice that I get frustrated/angry much more easily now, and I never felt like this before. This medication has been an absolute lifesaver for me."

• Pat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 26, 2023

Selegiline for Major Depressive Disorder "I have been diagnosed with MDD + TRD, which is just MDD that has failed many different treatments. I have had every class of med and several treatments, including TMS, ECT, ketamine infusion, therapy, dextromethorphan, psilocybin microdosing, etc. I was even in an MDMA-assisted therapy clinical trial. Emsam is a game-changer. Emsam is a 6 mg, 9 mg, 12 mg 24-hour transdermal patch. It releases a tiny amount of medicine into your body every second. Unlike pills or injections, where it all goes into your body at once, the patch keeps the blood plasma concentration of selegiline extremely low, so the side effects are minimal. It took about 6 weeks for me to see the full effects, but I was shocked at how my severe depression went from 10/10 to 2/10 in just two months. It brought back my motivation, stopped my constant crying, and my brain is functioning again (most days). However, it is important not to forget to wear the patch, or the depression may come back."

• Noo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2016

Selegiline for Depression "I actually struggle with the possibility of BP II. At 6 mg, I didn't have any response, positive or negative, except that it repressed my appetite, with infrequent feelings of rage, which were controllable with benzos (Ativan). At 9 mg, I began to have extreme insomnia (probably because it metabolizes as L-amphetamine or an Adderall-like substance). At this dosage, the rage I would feel was too much to handle and was very much similar to what I felt on Wellbutrin. I would caution anyone, if you have rage on Wellbutrin, you may (as others have anecdotally said) have feelings of rage on Emsam as well. It's worth a try still, however, when I wasn't feeling intense anger, at 9 mg, I did feel better. Best of luck."

• Joy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 24, 2018

Selegiline "I was diagnosed with bipolar I and anxiety 17 years (post-partum) and had spent much of that time depressed and/or suicidal. I had so many hospitalizations that I lost count. I'm telling you: it is at least worth a try. I tried every other combination and all of the SSRI meds and the group of tricyclics. I also have had various rounds of E.C.T., but nothing has helped as much as Emsam. I do not find the dietary restrictions to be much of an issue. I know that not everyone tolerates different medications, but this has truly been a lifesaver for me. The downside is the cost of the drug. I am fortunate at this time that my insurance covers it."

• hap...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 15, 2017

Selegiline for Major Depressive Disorder "The side effects of this drug have destroyed my well-being, and I am not exaggerating when I say that. Everything was going very well the first 2 months I was on the drug. But then the insomnia started. And then came the irritability. Then the short temper. Then the escalated anger. And then came the panic attacks, leading to dependency on Xanax XR. Depression came back anyway when the insomnia started. My social anxiety has returned in a big way. The lowest dose was too activating for me. I would not recommend this medication for anyone who suffers from anxiety along with depression, even if your depression is worse than your anxiety. I've been off it for almost a week. Pro: transdermal = bypasses the digestive tract."

• old...
• January 19, 2009

Selegiline for Parkinson's Disease "I had to stop taking Zelapar because I was having an operation. After a couple of days, the operation was postponed, and I forgot that I had stopped taking Zelapar. Anyway, mid-day one afternoon, I was having a horrible time because it seemed all movement had stopped. The next day, the same. A couple more days went by, and I figured my good luck was up, and it was time for either new medicines or a D.B.S. Then I remembered that I was not taking the Zelapar. Well, I went back to my daily dose, and I am almost my old moving self. Thanks."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2020

Selegiline for Depression "Took this years ago for bipolar. I took it for several months, and it caused severely agitated mania. Felt good and euphoric at first, and quickly turned into extreme anger and impulsivity. Barely slept, and when I did, the nightmares were violent and never-ending. Dr. took me right off it."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2022

For Depression "One interesting thing I noticed with this drug (the Selegiline tablets) is it made my (male) orgasms go from lasting a few seconds to lasting 50-55 seconds. I literally used a timer to record how long the tingly feeling lasted. Can anyone confirm or deny this side effect? Try using a phone timer to measure how long your orgasms last without Selegiline than a few days after starting."

• Emi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2022

Selegiline for Depression "I’ve had every side effect there is with Emsam. It started with the 6 mg, but I thought they’d go away. The insomnia was already normal for me with the depression, but it’s been way worse. Impulsivity, intense irritability, chronic constipation, blackouts upon standing, weight gain, exhaustion. We went to the 12 mg because I was still depressed, and even though the depression went away, the side effects progressed. When my feet and legs swelled up to where I couldn’t wear shoes, I was done. Down to 9 mg, no better, down to 6 mg, still not sleeping. This was my “last resort.” Devastated."

• joa...
• October 8, 2007

Selegiline for Depression "Emsam has helped me with my depression. However, when it is a very muggy, humid day, the patch has a hard time staying adhered. I went to my pharmacist, and he gave me something in addition to help hold it on. When the weather is fine, I have no problem, even through the swimming pool or a bath. Yesterday I had a patch that had the larger part of the sticky end missing."

• Tun...
• February 16, 2018

Selegiline for Major Depressive Disorder "I took Emsam for 3 weeks, and before Emsam, I tried many antidepressants, TMS, and also ECT, nothing helped. I was hoping this medicine would help, but side effects are unbearable: stomach pain, indigestion, nausea, upset stomach. I tried to relieve this with other medications like Zantac, but with no effect. I really want this medicine to work, but I have no luck again. I don’t know what to do now because my options are limited."

• day...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2015

For Depression "I have been dealing with major depression for roughly 10 years. I have been on a medley of antidepressants and different combos, most being SSRIs that seem useless or worsen my depression. Emsam is by far the most effective. I have little if any episodes of suicidal thoughts anymore, and life just seems more manageable. This drug actually has promise instead of the many other antidepressants that are just all hype. Definitely worth a try."

• Mel...
• November 16, 2009

Selegiline for Depression "Have been using the 6 mg patch for 4 weeks now, with absolutely no results. No side effects. No skin irritation. Nothing. Doctor says I should be patient and wait till the 6-week point, where it might finally kick in. If it doesn't, we will go to the higher dosage. Probably just double it to the 12 mg patch. Not looking forward to the dietary restrictions, but it's a trade-off I'm willing to take for relief from 30+ years of despair."

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2011

For Depression "I take a 2.5 mg tablet of selegiline with breakfast, and it has helped with depression and fatigue. I cut a 5 mg tablet in half. If I miss the morning dose, I try not to take it any later than noon because it keeps me up at night. I tried 5 mg to start, but I didn't feel right and had insomnia. I also take a 1 to 2-day break after taking it for 5 days straight."

• Peo...
• October 26, 2011

For Depression "After trials of many, many medications, I have had complete relief from depression for 10 years with 15 mg/day Selegiline tablets. I have not needed to observe diet restrictions, and I also take 50 mg a day of DHEA, which adds to the antidepressant effect for me. One recent problem, however, the refill I picked up in August of this year, 2011, pretty definitely has something wrong with it, as the medicine has become less effective for depression, I've had a pounding heart, and I've had noticeable hair thinning problems. So I've stopped for now and, with MD's help, am looking for a safe source."

• tho...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 31, 2024

Selegiline for Major Depressive Disorder "Diagnosed at age 22 (1984) with Major Depressive Disorder, I was prescribed the MAOI NARDIL. It completely changed my life, and I continued taking it. In the year 2003 (thereabouts), my Major Depression returned. Unbeknownst to me and the thousands who also took NARDIL, the drug was sold to a new manufacturer who removed several elements in the compound. It stopped working. I noticed the change of the pill - it had been a hard-shell orange color, then after the new manufacturer took over, it was chalky with orange-pink color. The Internet was in its early days, but five years later, I began finding groups online describing the devastating effects after the NARDIL compounds were removed. One famous artist in New York committed suicide within a few years after not being able to find a replacement drug. My experience was horrific. I was paraded through a series of SSRIs, like then-popular Prozac, and NOTHING worked. I went back to the 'new' NARDIL as it was better than nothing. Over time, I read ab"

• Vsh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2019

Selegiline for Major Depressive Disorder "Was on the lowest dose, to prevent too many food restrictions. Did nothing for my depression-in fact, made my mood awful, gave me nightmares in which I did unspeakably violent things, and a waking rage I have never experienced. Weeks off it, and my doctor is trying to get rid of my extreme agitation and anger with no success. I can’t interact with people without losing my temper. Comes in a very convenient patch form, but that’s the only positive, in my opinion."

• Hap...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 31, 2018

For Depression "60 yr old male. I take 20 mg/day of selegiline at breakfast for depression for over 6 years. Side effects are two: a) if I drink coffee in the afternoon, I tend not to go to bed before 12:00 AM and b) sometimes it's hard to concentrate, and I can get very easily distracted."