Orally Disintegrating Tablets contain selegiline hydrochloride, a levorotatory acetylenic derivative of phenethylamine. Selegiline hydrochloride is described chemically as: (-)-(R)-N, α-dimethyl-N-2-propynylphenethylamine hydrochloride and its structural formula is: Its empirical formula is C 13 H 17 N ∙ HCl, representing a molecular weight of 223.74. Selegiline hydrochloride is a white to almost white crystalline powder that is freely soluble in water and in methanol, slightly soluble in acetone. ZELAPAR Orally Disintegrating Tablets are available for oral administration ( not to be swallowed) in a strength of 1.25 mg. Each lyophilized orally disintegrating tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: aspartame, citric acid, gelatin, glycine, mannitol, opatint yellow, purified water, and grapefruit flavor. chem

What kind of drug is selegiline?

The FDA classifies selegiline as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take selegiline with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run selegiline against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is selegiline sold under?

We track 3 selegiline-containing products in the U.S.: Eldepryl, Emsam and Zelapar. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does selegiline come in?

Across the brands we track, selegiline is currently marketed as capsule, patch and tablet, orally disintegrating, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic selegiline?

We do not currently list a generic-labelled selegiline product. That does not always mean none exists — it means none appears under a generic name in the FDA data we track. Ask your pharmacist.

Selegiline: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Selegiline is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor sold in the U.S. under 3 brand and generic names, for alzheimer disease, attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity and depressive disorder. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
Treats: Alzheimer Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity and Depressive Disorder
Available as: Capsule · Patch · Tablet, orally disintegrating
Sold as: 3 products — Eldepryl, Emsam and Zelapar
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Not in our catalog
Typical price: about $19 for a 30-count supply
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How selegiline is dosed

From the FDA label for Eldepryl (application NDA020647). Other selegiline products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Initiate treatment with 1.25 mg given once a day for at least 6 weeks; after 6 weeks, the dose may be escalated to 2.5 mg once a day ( 2.1 ) • Place tablet on top of the tongue where the tablet will disintegrate in seconds; avoid food and liquid intake 5 minutes before and after each dose ( 2.1 ) • In patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment, the dose should be reduced to 1.25 mg; ZELAPAR is not recommended in patients with severe (Child-Pugh score >9) hepatic impairment ( 2.2 ) 2.1 General Dosage Recommendations Initiate treatment with 1.25 mg given once a day for at least 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, the dose may be increased to 2.5 mg given once a day if a desired benefit has not been achieved and the patient is tolerating ZELAPAR. There is no evidence that doses greater than 2.5 mg a day provide additional benefit, and they should ordinarily be avoided because of the potential increased risk of adverse events. Take ZELAPAR in the morning before breakfast and without liquid. Patients should avoid ingesting food or liquids for 5 minutes before and after taking ZELAPAR. Patients should not attempt to push ZELAPAR through the foil backing. Patients should PEEL BACK the backing of one or two blisters (as prescribed) with dry hands, and GENTLY remove the tablet(s). Patients should IMMEDIATELY place the ZELAPAR tablet(s) on top of the tongue…

Selegiline side effects

The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in the Warnings and Precautions section of labeling: • Risk for Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Risk of Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] • Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] • Hypotension/Orthostatic Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] • Dyskinesia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] • Hallucinations/Psychotic-Like Behavior [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] • Impulse Control/Compulsive Behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] • Withdrawal Emergent Hyperpyrexia and Confusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] • Irritation of the Buccal Mucosa [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] • Risk for Patients with Phenylketonuria [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] The most common adverse reactions (incidence at least 3% greater than on placebo) are constipation, skin disorders, vomiting, dizziness, dyskinesia, insomnia, dyspnea, myalgia, and rash (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bausch Health US, LLC at 1-800-321-4576 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, the incidence of adverse reactions (number of unique patients experiencing an adverse reaction per…

Selegiline and food

Tyramine-rich foods
Follow the specific food list your prescriber gives you and avoid high-tyramine foods while taking an MAOI (and for a period after stopping). Seek urgent care for a sudden severe headache.
Phenelzine (an MAOI) — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) ↗

Every selegiline product we track (3)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Selegiline products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Eldepryl	Not yet rated	Prescription	Capsule	Generic	$19	View →
2	Emsam Boxed warning

What selegiline pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Selegiline pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
Novitium5mg;504	5 mg	white	capsule	—
Novitium5mg;504	5 mg	white	capsule	—
A;3438	5 mg	white	round	—
APO;055	5 mg	white, blue	capsule	—
A;3438	5 mg	white	round	—

Frequently asked questions

What is selegiline?: Orally Disintegrating Tablets contain selegiline hydrochloride, a levorotatory acetylenic derivative of phenethylamine. Selegiline hydrochloride is described chemically as: (-)-(R)-N, α-dimethyl-N-2-propynylphenethylamine hydrochloride and its structural formula is: Its empirical formula is C 13 H 17 N ∙ HCl, representing a molecular weight of 223.74. Selegiline hydrochloride is a white to almost white crystalline powder that is freely soluble in water and in methanol, slightly soluble in acetone. ZELAPAR Orally Disintegrating Tablets are available for oral administration ( not to be swallowed) in a strength of 1.25 mg. Each lyophilized orally disintegrating tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: aspartame, citric acid, gelatin, glycine, mannitol, opatint yellow, purified water, and grapefruit flavor. chem
What kind of drug is selegiline?: The FDA classifies selegiline as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take selegiline with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run selegiline against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is selegiline sold under?: We track 3 selegiline-containing products in the U.S.: Eldepryl, Emsam and Zelapar. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does selegiline come in?: Across the brands we track, selegiline is currently marketed as capsule, patch and tablet, orally disintegrating, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.