zelapar
Zelapar (Selegiline Hydrochloride) is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor used to treat Alzheimer Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Parkinson Disease.
Selegiline Hydrochloride · by Bausch
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Selegiline Hydrochloride
- Drug class
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
- Form
- Tablet, orally disintegrating
- Strength
- Selegiline Hydrochloride 1.25MG
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- Manufacturer
- Bausch
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$19.56 for 30 — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA021479
What is Zelapar?
From the FDA label:ZELAPAR 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
How to use
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 where it will disintegrate in…
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…
Warnings
Important safety information
May cause hypertension above 2.5 mg/day ( 5.1 ) • May cause serotonin syndrome when used with antidepressants (5.2) • May cause falling asleep during activities of daily living (5.3) • May cause hypotension/orthostatic hypotension (5.4) • May cause or exacerbate dyskinesia (5.5) • May cause hallucinations and psychotic-like behavior (5.6) • May cause problems with impulse control and compulsive behaviors (5.7) • Abrupt discontinuation may cause hyperpyrexia and confusion (5.8) • May cause irritation of the buccal mucosa ( 5.9 ) • Increased risk for patients with phenylketonuria ( 5.10 ) 5.1 Hypertension ZELAPAR should not be used at daily doses exceeding those recommended (2.5 mg/day) because of the risks associated with non-selective inhibition of MAO [see Drug Interactions (7.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] . The selectivity of ZELAPAR for MAO-B may not be absolute even at the recommended daily dose of 2.5 mg daily. The selectivity of MAO-B inhibitors typically decreases, and it is ultimately lost as the dose is increased beyond recommended doses. Hypertensive reactions associated with ingestion of tyramine-containing foods have been reported even in patients taking the recommended daily dose of swallowed selegiline, a dose which is generally believed to be selective for MAO-B. Selectivity for MAO-B inhibition is gradually lost with increasing daily doses. An increase in tyramine sensitivity for blood pressure responses appears to begin at a dose of 5 mg ZELAPAR daily [see Drug Interactions (7.5) ] . However, the precise dose at which ZELAPAR becomes a non-selective inhibitor of all MAO enzymes in individual patients is unknown. Reports of hypertensive reactions have occurred in patients who ingested tyramine-containing consumables (i.e., food or drink) while receiving swallowed selegiline at the recommended dose (a dose believed to be relatively selective for MAO-B). The safe use of ZELAPAR at doses above 2.5 mg daily without dietary tyramine restrictions has not been established. A pharmacodynamic study showed increased tyramine sensitivity for increasing blood pressure and decreased selectivity for MAO-B with dosing above the recommended level (2.5 mg daily) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] . Uncontrolled hypertension has been reported when taking the recommended dose of swallowed selegiline and a sympathomimetic medication (ephedrine). After starting ZELAPAR, monitor patients for new onset hypertension or exacerbation of hypertension that is not adequately controlled. 5.2 Serotonin Syndrome Serotonin syndrome and hyperpyrexia have been reported with the combined treatment of an antidepressant (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors-SSRIs, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors-SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, tetracyclic antidepressants, triazolopyridine antidepressants) and a non-selective MAOI (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine) or selective MAO-B inhibitors, such as selegiline (ELDEPRYL), rasagiline (AZILECT), and olanzapine (Zydis) selegiline (ZELAPAR). Serotonin syndrome is a potentially serious condition, which can result in death. Typical clinical signs and symptoms include behavioral and cognitive/mental status changes (e.g., confusion, hypomania, hallucinations, agitation, delirium, headache, and coma), autonomic effects (e.g., syncope, shivering, sweating, high fever/hyperthermia, hypertension, hypotension, tachycardia, nausea, diarrhea), and somatic effects (e.g., muscular rigidity, myoclonus, muscle twitching, hyperreflexia manifested by clonus, and tremor). In the post-marketing period, fatal and non-fatal cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported in patients treated with antidepressants concomitantly with ZELAPAR [see Contraindications (4) and Drug Interactions ( 7.1 , 7.2 , 7.3 )] . Clinical studies of ZELAPAR did not allow concomitant use of any selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (e.g., fluoxetine-Prozac, fluvoxamine-Luvox, paroxetine-Paxil, sertraline, venlafaxine-Effexor, or nefazodone-Serzone) or any non-selective serotonin reuptake inhibiting antidepressant drug (except when taken at a low dose and only at night for the purpose of effective sleep) with ZELAPAR. Because the mechanisms responsible for these reactions are not fully understood, avoid the combination of ZELAPAR with any antidepressant. At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of ZELAPAR and initiation of treatment with a SSRI, SNRI, tricyclic, tetracyclic, or triazolopyridine antidepressant. In patients taking antidepressants with a long half-life (e.g., fluoxetine and its active metabolite), allow at least five weeks (perhaps longer, especially if fluoxetine has been prescribed chronically and/or at higher doses) to elapse between discontinuation of fluoxetine and initiation of ZELAPAR [see Drug Interactions (7.6) ] . 5.3 Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence Patients with Parkinson’s disease treated with ZELAPAR or other drugs increasing dopaminergic tone have reported falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living, including the operation of motor vehicles, which sometimes resulted in accidents. Although many of these patients reported somnolence, some did not perceive warning signs, such as excessive drowsiness, and believed that they were alert immediately prior to the event. Some of these events have been reported as late as one year after initiation of treatment. It has been reported that falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living always occurs in a setting of pre-existing somnolence, although patients may not give such a history. For this reason, prescribers should reassess patients for drowsiness or sleepiness especially since some of the events occur well after the start of treatment. Somnolence may occur in patients receiving ZELAPAR. There was an increased risk for somnolence in geriatric patients (≥65 years) vs. non-geriatric patients treated with ZELAPAR. Prescribers should also be aware that patients may not acknowledge drowsiness or sleepiness until directly questioned about drowsiness or sleepiness during specific activities. Patients should be advised to exercise caution while driving, operating machines, or working at heights during treatment with ZELAPAR. Patients who have already experienced somnolence and/or an episode of sudden sleep onset should not participate in these activities during treatment with ZELAPAR. Before initiating treatment with ZELAPAR, advise patients about the potential to develop drowsiness and specifically ask about factors that may increase this risk, such as concomitant sedating medications and the presence of sleep disorders. If a patient develops daytime sleepiness or episodes of falling asleep during activities that require active participation (e.g., conversations, eating, etc.), ZELAPAR should ordinarily be discontinued. If a decision is made to continue ZELAPAR, patients should be advised not to drive and to avoid other potentially dangerous activities. There is insufficient information to establish whether dose reduction will eliminate episodes of falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living. 5.4 Hypotension/Orthostatic Hypotension Assessments of orthostatic (supine and standing) blood pressures at different times throughout the 12 week study period in two controlled trials showed that the frequency of orthostatic hypotension (>20 mm Hg decrease in systolic blood pressure and/or >10 mm Hg decrease in diastolic blood pressure) was greater with ZELAPAR treatment than with placebo treatment. Patients taking ZELAPAR were most likely to experience a decline in systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 8 weeks (2 weeks after initiating 2.5 mg ZELAPAR). At that time, the incidence of systolic orthostatic hypotension was about 21% in ZELAPAR-treated patients and 9% in placebo-treated patients. The incidence of diastolic orthostatic hypotension was about 12% in ZELAPAR-treated patients and about 4% in…
Who should not take Zelapar
ZELAPAR is contraindicated in patients with: • Concomitant use of opioid drugs (e.g., meperidine, tramadol, or methadone). Serotonin syndrome, a potentially serious condition, which can result in death, has been reported with concomitant use of meperidine (e.g., Demerol and other trade names). At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of ZELAPAR and initiation of treatment with these medications [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . • Concomitant use of other drugs in the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) class or other drugs that are potent inhibitors of monoamine oxidase, including linezolid), because of an increased risk for hypertensive crisis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of ZELAPAR and initiation of treatment with any MAO inhibitor. • Concomitant use of St. John’s wort or cyclobenzaprine (a tricyclic muscle relaxant). • Concomitant use of dextromethorphan, because of reported episodes of psychosis or bizarre behavior. ZELAPAR is contraindicated in patients using the following drugs: opioid drugs (e.g., meperidine, tramadol, methadone), MAO inhibitors including selective MAO-B inhibitors, dextromethorphan, St. John’s wort, and cyclobenzaprine ( 4 )
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
10.1 Selegiline Experience gained during development of the 5 mg swallowed dosage form reveals that some individuals exposed to doses of 600 mg of d,l-selegiline suffered severe hypotension and psychomotor agitation. Small increments in serum BUN and creatinine have been observed in patients who received ZELAPAR 10 mg daily (4 times the recommended dose). Since the selective inhibition of MAO-B by ZELAPAR is achieved only at doses in the range recommended for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (e.g., 2.5 mg/day), overdoses are likely to cause significant inhibition of both MAO-A and MAO-B. Consequently, the signs and symptoms of overdose may resemble those observed with marketed non-selective MAO inhibitors [e.g., tranylcypromine (PARNATE ® ), isocarboxazid (MARPLAN ® ), and phenelzine (NARDIL ® )]. For this reason, in cases of overdose with selegiline, dietary tyramine restriction should be observed for several weeks to avoid the risk of a hypertensive reaction. 10.2 Overdose with Non-selective MAO Inhibitors NOTE: The following description of presenting symptoms and clinical course is based upon overdose descriptions of non-selective MAO inhibitors and does not include information from patients who have overdosed on oral selegiline or ZELAPAR. Characteristically, signs and symptoms of non-selective MAO inhibitor overdose may not appear immediately. Delays of up to 12 hours…
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
7.1 Opioid Drugs Because serious, sometimes fatal reactions have been precipitated with concomitant use of opioid drugs (e.g., meperidine and its derivatives, methadone, or tramadol) and MAOIs, including selective MAO-B inhibitors, concomitant use of these drugs with ZELAPAR is contraindicated [see Contraindications ( 4 ) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of ZELAPAR and initiation of treatment with these drugs. 7.2 Dextromethorphan The combination of MAO inhibitors and dextromethorphan has been reported to cause brief episodes of psychosis or bizarre behavior. Therefore, in view of ZELAPAR’s MAO inhibitory activity, dextromethorphan should not be used concomitantly with ZELAPAR [see Contraindications (4) ] . 7.3 MAO Inhibitors ZELAPAR is contraindicated for concomitant use with other drugs in the MAOI class or other drugs that are potent inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (including linezolid, an oxazolidinone antibacterial, which also has reversible nonselective MAO inhibition activity) because of the increased risk for hypertensive crisis [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1 )] . At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of ZELAPAR and initiation of treatment with other MAOIs. 7.4 Sympathomimetic Medications Uncontrolled hypertension, including hypertensive crisis, has been reported when taking the recommended dose of swallowed selegiline and a sympathomimetic medication (ephedrine). 7.5 Tyramine/Selegiline Interaction The enzyme, monoamine oxidase (MAO) (primarily type A), in the gastrointestinal tract and liver provides protection from ingested amines (e.g., tyramine) that, if absorbed, have the capacity to cause uncontrolled hypertension (tyramine reaction). If MAO is inhibited in the gastrointestinal tract and liver, ingestion of exogenous amines contained in some foods such as fermented cheese, herring, or over-the-counter cough/cold medicines may be absorbed systemically causing release of norepinephrine and a rise in systemic blood pressure with the potential for uncontrolled hypertension. Selective MAO-B inhibitors lose their selectivity for MAO-B when taken in doses higher than recommended . Non-selective MAO-A inhibitors or MAO-B inhibitors in higher than recommended doses may result in MAO-A inhibition in the gastrointestinal tract and liver. Results of a tyramine challenge study indicate that ZELAPAR is relatively selective for MAO-B at the recommended dose. In most cases, there is no need for dietary tyramine restriction in patients prescribed ZELAPAR [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] at the recommended dose. Because the selectivity for inhibiting MAO-B diminishes as the dose of ZELAPAR is increased above the recommended daily dose, patients should not take more than 2.5 mg of ZELAPAR daily. Reports of hypertensive reactions have occurred in patients who ingested tyramine-containing consumables (i.e., food or drink) while receiving swallowed selegiline at the recommended dose (a dose believed to be relatively selective for MAO-B). Hypertensive crisis has also been reported with ZELAPAR use that was not above the recommended dosing. Uncontrolled hypertension has been reported when taking the recommended dose of swallowed selegiline and a sympathomimetic medication (ephedrine). 7.6 Tricyclic Antidepressants and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Severe toxicity has also been reported in patients receiving the combination of tricyclic antidepressants and swallowed selegiline, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and swallowed selegiline [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . 7.7 Drugs that Induce CYP450 Adequate studies have not been done investigating the effect of CYP3A4 inducers on selegiline. Drugs that induce CYP3A4 (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, nafcillin, phenobarbital, and rifampin) should be used with caution. 7.8 Dopaminergic Antagonists It is possible that dopamine antagonists, such as antipsychotics or metoclopramide, could diminish the effectiveness of ZELAPAR.
Foods & drinks to be careful with
Well-established interactions for this medicine’s drug class, summarized from public health authorities. General information, not medical advice — always confirm with your pharmacist or the label.
Tyramine-rich foods
Watch out for: aged cheeses, cured or fermented meats, sauerkraut, soy sauce, tap/unpasteurized beer, and other aged or fermented foods.
MAO inhibitors block the enzyme that breaks down tyramine. Eating high-tyramine foods while on an MAOI can cause a dangerous spike in blood pressure (a hypertensive crisis).
What to do: 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.
Source: Phenelzine (an MAOI) — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
Drug class
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
- alzheimer disease
- attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity
- depressive disorder
- parkinson disease
- schizophrenia
See how Zelapar ranks — best-rated monoamine oxidase inhibitor for:
Dosage forms
Tablet, orally disintegrating
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
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Use copay cards
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Zelapar treat?
- Zelapar (Selegiline Hydrochloride) may be used to treat alzheimer disease, attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, depressive disorder, parkinson disease, schizophrenia, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How much does Zelapar cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $19.56 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins. Pharmacies pay less for a same-class option, Nardil — about $17.66 on the same basis.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Zelapar?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Zelapar. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Zelapar?
- Zelapar is marketed by Bausch. You can see Bausch's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Zelapar a brand-name or generic drug?
- Zelapar is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Selegiline Hydrochloride.
- Is Zelapar available over the counter?
- No. Zelapar is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Zelapar come in?
- Zelapar is currently marketed as tablet, orally disintegrating, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Zelapar?
- Zelapar is classified as monoamine oxidase inhibitor, monoamine oxidase type b inhibitor, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Zelapar FDA-registered?
- Zelapar is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA021479. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Is Zelapar safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Zelapar. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Zelapar?
- Zelapar's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: 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 So… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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