These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Eldepryl
Question: Is it possible to stop or reverse the MAO blockers and add additional
neuro-transmitter action to reinstate memory capabilities?
Answer: Mao blockers will generally be “out” of ones system by 24-48 hours. This is the
recommended time prior to surgery. In general, we use about one week in non-emergent
situations to be absolutely sure of no generalized reactions. Consequently, after one stops a
Mao inhibitor, most of the expected reactions will be gone in several days. I know ot no
patches for delivery of eldepryl.
Eldepryl
Question: Could you please send me any information you have on Eldepryl and the foods to
avoid while on this medication. My mother has Parkinson’s Disease and
keeps getting conflicting opinions on what foods to eat and what foods to
avoid.
Answer: Eldepryl(selegilene hydrochloride) is a relatively new drug in the treatment of Parkinson’s
Disease. Eldepryl is an MAO inhibitor initially used in depression that has been found to be effective in
treating Parkinson’s. The mode of action is not completely understood, but seems to increase
dopamine in the brain through its monoamine oxidase effect. MAO inhibitors can be
potentiated by several types of food. Any food containing tyramine will cause problems.
These include chicken liver, pickled herring, any cheese-aged are the most potent, yogurt,
sour cream, beer, wine, canned figs, bananas, advocados, soy sauce, raisins, chocolate, many
decongestants and weight loss agents, canned figs and broad beans(Fava,etc.). Ingestion of
these substances can cause severe blood pressure excursions, rapid heart beats, and other side
effects.
Eldepryl
Question: I have a female neighbor, about 50. She does NOT suffer from Parkinsonism. A family friend provided her with a fairly substantial sample of Eldepryl. She reports with great enthusiasm that Eldepryl has been very
helpful in relieving her symptoms of mild depression and anxiety. Although Eldepryl apparently has an MAO inhibitor function, reported side effects strongly suggest it would be conraindicated for bipolar symptoms. Are there clinical trials in progress on the use of Eldepryl as an antidepressant?
Answer: While Eldepryl does have an MAO type effect, the studies done in Parkinson’s patients indicate that in the doses approved for Parkinson’s Disease that it does not approach levels in the serum which are required to treat depression. I know of no ongoing trials concerning using this drug as an antidepressant. I would contact the company, Somerset Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for further information.
Eldepry Before Surgery
Question: how long befor surgery should I stop taking eldepryl if Demerol(meperidine) is to be used as a painkiller?
Answer: Eldepryl(selegiline hydrochloride) is a drug primarily used to treat Parkinson’s Disease. It is a monoamine oxidase-Type B inhibitor. As such, certain drugs are a problem or a potential problem. These include serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants, and Demerol (meperidine). The manufacturer recommends a 14 day period between stopping Eldepryl and these drugs. Whether other opiates such as morphine cause this problem is less clear;however, most physicians assume that the interaction is possible.
