Posted by Elizabeth on May 11, 1999, at 15:36:47
In reply to Re: Selegiline for depression?, posted by Judy on May 11, 1999, at 11:41:20
Low-dose selegiline (deprenyl) is sometimes mildly helpful in depression, but higher doses are more likely to work - "low doses" meaning doses at which it selectively inhibits MAO type B (under 20mg or so - typical doses for Parkinson's disease, its official indication, are 5-10mg), "high doses" being those at which there's significant MAO-A inhibition as well. Note that at the higher doses, you do need to observe the MAOI diet. Also, do *not* take selegiline - even at low doses - with an SSRI, Demerol, dextromethorphan, etc.
I tried taking it at up to 40mg. It didn't do much, if anything, for me (though Nardil and Parnate have worked), but not a lot is known about the effective dose range, and it's possible that I needed to go higher.
It's metabolized into l-amphetamine and l-methamphetamine, and I tested positive for amphetamines at one point while I was taking it. Watch out for that.
Research on selegiline for depression has been going on for a little while. A particularly interesting thing about this is the route of administration: they're using a transdermal patch, which for obvious reasons eliminates the potential for food-drug interactions. I hear that it's been successful so far.
poster:Elizabeth
thread:5905
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991001/msgs/5951.html