Type of medicine: MAO inhibitor; antidepressant
Generic and brand names: selegiline, transdermal; Emsam
This medicine is a patch put on the skin to treat depression.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you are currently taking any other medicines, including nonprescription medicines, supplements, or natural remedies. Many other medicines should not be taken within 2 weeks of taking this medicine.
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Important: Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Use only 1 patch at a time. Do not cut the patch into smaller pieces. Change the patch once every 24 hours. Do not stop using this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval, even if you feel better.
Do not use a patch if the seal is broken, or if it is cut or damaged in any way. Just before you apply the patch, remove it from the sealed pouch. Do not store the patch outside of the sealed pouch.
Put a patch on dry, smooth skin on your upper chest or back (below the neck and above the waist), upper thigh or to the outside of the upper arm. Do not place the patch where tight clothing could cause the patch to rub off. Do not put the patch on skin that is broken or irritated. Do not use a heating pad, electric blanket, hot tub, sauna, or other direct heat where you apply the patch. These may increase the amount of medicine released from the patch and could result in an overdose.
Choose a new site each time you change your patch. Do not use the same site 2 days in a row. Apply the patch at about the same time each day. If patch falls off and cannot be pressed back on, put a new patch on a new site.
Wash the area gently and thoroughly with soap and warm water. Rinse until all the soap is removed. Dry the area with a clean dry towel. After you have applied the patch, wash your hands well with soap and water to remove any medicine that may have gotten on them. Do not touch your eyes until after you have washed your hands.
To dispose of a used patch, fold it so that it sticks to itself with the medicine inside. Then dispose of it safely away from children and pets.
If you forget to change the patch, change it as soon as you remember. Do not apply extra patches to make up for a missed dose. If you are not sure of what to do, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, dizziness, fainting, irritability, hyperactivity, agitation, severe headache, hallucinations, jaw tightness, trouble breathing, sweating, fever, cool or clammy skin, stiffness or arching of the back, fast or irregular heartbeat, seizures, coma.
This medicine may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. Talk with your provider about this. Contact your provider right away if you or your family notice any disturbing changes in your thoughts or behavior, such as:
Get medical care right away if you have heavy sweating, severe chest pain, severe headache, faster or slower heartbeat, large pupils, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, or any other serious side effects.
When taken with certain foods or drinks, this medicine can cause an increase in blood pressure. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Your healthcare provider will want to see you regularly to check on your progress and dosage.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine. The patch may need to be removed before certain tests or procedures such as MRIs. Patches should not be used for 10 days before you have a surgery.
This medicine may cause drowsiness and confusion. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine. Do not take other medicines without your healthcare provider's approval. Certain foods, drinks, and medicines can cause dangerously high blood pressure while you are taking this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain, hallucinations, bloody or tarry stools, trouble urinating, enlarged pupils, fast or slow heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, severe headache, increased sensitivity to light, increased sweating (possibly with fever or cold, clammy skin), severe nausea and vomiting, stiff or sore neck, mood changes, confusion, thoughts of suicide, unusual behavior, new or worsening depression, unusual nervousness or anxiety, eye sensitivity to light, dilated pupils.
Other: Increase in unusual movements of body, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, diarrhea, gas, runny or stuffy nose, dry mouth, weight loss, stomach cramps, headache, trouble sleeping, itching or redness where you put the patch.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
When taken with certain foods or drinks, this medicine can cause an increase in blood pressure. To avoid this, do not eat large amounts of foods or drink beverages that have a high tyramine content. This includes foods that are aged, fermented, pickled, or smoked, such as aged cheeses; yogurt, dried fruits, smoked fish, meat, or poultry; sauerkraut; soy sauce; red wine; or tap beer. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the pouches sealed until ready to use. Protect the medicine from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
