Selegiline User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• sandu...
• February 9, 2008

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

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

Emsam (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 6mg, 9mg, 12mg 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 selegeline 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."

• Diano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2020

Emsam (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. 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."

• Smirch
• April 24, 2019

Emsam (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."

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

Emsam (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 years 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 12mg/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."

• danjsul
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2016

Emsam (selegiline) for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on 6mg for a week now. I know I will probably need to be on 12mg 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 & Emsam actually lower my BP. I also take 40mg Adderall 3xday and Claritin D and don't have hypertensive crisis or SS. MAOIs are the only AD that don't make me numb & hopefully at 9 or 12mg it will be great. I get upset easier but I am happy easier too."

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

Emsam (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 area between 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 & Marplan are US FDA approved."

• johnlol
• April 18, 2012

For ADHD "I take 5mg Selegiline after 16.8g fish oil and lithium ER [for bipolar] first thing in the morning so selegiline metabolites, doesn'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 and not daydreaming, boredom, and picturing stuff in my head. The lithium helps with inhibiting impulsiveness. You have to respond to stimulants or selegiline fails."

• Anon
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2020

Emsam (selegiline) for Depression "Took this years ago for bipolar, I took it for several months and it caused severely agitated mania. Felt good at 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."

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

Emsam (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"

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

Emsam (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 is 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 adderal-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, as when I wasn't feeling intense anger, at 9 mg I did feel better. best of luck."

• MelNc...
• November 16, 2009

Emsam (selegiline) for Depression "Have been using the 6MG 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 12MG 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."

• Emily
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2022

Emsam (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 12mg 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 9mg, no better, down to 6mg, still not sleeping. This was my “last resort.” Devastated."

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

Emsam (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 life saver for me. The down side is the cost of the drug. I am fortunate at this time that my insurance covers it."

• joann...
• October 8, 2007

Emsam (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 adherred. 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."

• Tunio
• February 16, 2018

Emsam (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 sides effects are unbearable stomach pain, indigestion, nausea, upset stomach. I tried to relieved 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."

• Vsharp
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2019

Emsam (selegiline) for Major Depressive Disorder "Was on the lowest dose, to prevent to 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."

• oldwe...
• January 19, 2009

Zelapar (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 of 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."

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

For Depression "One interesting thing I noticed with this drug (the Selegeline 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 Selegeline than a few days after starting."

• Mindf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2019

Emsam (selegiline) for Major Depressive Disorder "I’ve been on just about very antidepressants known to man over the last 40 years. Nardil worked for five years and then suddenly stopped being effective. Two years ago I had 10 ECT treatments at UCLA, which where ineffective . Becoming desperate, I tried Emsam for two months. It had no effect at all, and at a cost of $1500.00 per month, might be considered one of the bigger pharmaceutical rip-offs."

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

For Depression "I have been dealing with major depression roughly 10 years. Have been on a medley of antidepressants and different combos. Most being SSRI's that seem useless or worsen my depression. Emsam is by far the most effective. I have little if no episodes of suicidal thoughts anymore and life just seems more managable.this drug actually has promise instead of the many other antidepressants that are just all hype. Definitely worth a try."

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2011

For Depression "I take a 2.5mg 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 5mg 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."

• Peonie
• 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 day of DHEA which adds to the anti-depressant effect for me. One recent problem however, the refill I picked up in August of this year, 2011, pretty definitely has something wrong with is, 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."

• DCSoc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2024

Emsam (selegiline) for Depression "Like others on this thread, I have tried almost every antidepressant that was available prior to 2010. The one that worked the best was Nardil - but I needed to stop because of severe insomnia and one bad hypertensive episode - even though I strictly followed the diet. The sedating ones made my insomnia worse and others caused weight gain and impotence. I winged it for the next 14 years, but a series of events caused me to socially isolate. Enough was enough, and I again sought professional help. I was prescribed an SSRI and refused because of my previous experience. I had heard about Emsam and thought it might work because of my experience with Nardil. I was surprised that my HMO approved because of the outrageously high cost (retail $2,000/month, but my copayment is only $75.) Wow, what a difference. I started to feel the positive effects in a week. It took a while to learn how to apply the patch."

• laure...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2019

Emsam (selegiline) for Depression "3 months on ensam patch with some sense mood improvement yet I feel like I'm lacking the motivation and the sense of happiness that I experienced so long ago on the original Nardil formula. On 9 mg 24 hour schedule. I am going to ask my provider to consider 12mg trial period."