Representative Names: Selegiline Orally-Disintegrating Tablets, Zelapar
Active Ingredients: Selegiline
Generic Available: No
Rx Status: Available by prescription only

What is/are Zelapar (Back to top)
SELEGILINE is an monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). It is used with levodopa-carbidopa in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It is usually added to therapy when there is a decrease in response to levodopa. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.


What should I tell my health care providers before I take this medicine? (Back to top)
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • frequently drink alcoholic beverages
  • kidney disease
  • liver disease
  • phenylketonuria
  • an unusual or allergic reaction to selegiline, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine? (Back to top)
Take this medicine by mouth in the morning. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not push the tablet through the foil backing. Peel back the foil with dry hands, gently remove the tablet, and immediately place the tablet on your tongue. It will dissolve in seconds. Do not swallow it. Wait about 5 minutes after taking your medicine before ingesting any food or liquid. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

Note: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.


What if I miss a dose? (Back to top)
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.


What may interact with this medicine? (Back to top)
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • altretamine
  • atomoxetine
  • caffeine
  • carbamazepine
  • cocaine
  • dextromethorphan
  • diphenoxylate
  • ephedrine
  • herbal medicines like ginseng, green tea, guarana, SAM-e, and St. John's Wort
  • isoniazid
  • linezolid
  • local anesthetics
  • medicines for mental depression
  • medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
  • meperidine
  • procarbazine
  • pseudoephedrine
  • stimulants like amphetamine, dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate
  • tramadol
  • tryptophan

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
  • medicines for high blood pressure
  • prescription pain medicines

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.


What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine? (Back to top)
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • agitation, excitability, restlessness, or nervousness
  • chest pain
  • confusion or changes in mental state
  • convulsions or seizures
  • difficulty breathing
  • difficulty passing urine
  • enlarged pupils, sensitivity of the eyes to light
  • fever, clammy skin, increased sweating
  • headache or increased blood pressure
  • lightheadedness or fainting spells
  • muscle or neck stiffness or spasm
  • sexual dysfunction
  • slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
  • sore throat and fever
  • suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
  • constipation or diarrhea
  • difficulty sleeping
  • increased appetite or weight increase
  • increased sensitivity to sunlight
  • muscle aches or pains, trembling
  • nausea or vomiting
  • sexual dysfunction
  • swelling of the feet or legs
  • tiredness or weakness

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.


What should I watch for while using this medicine? (Back to top)
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It can take up to 4 weeks to see the full effects of this medicine. Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine. This may make your condition worse or give you withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice about gradually reducing your dosage. Even after you stop taking this medicine the effects can last for at least two weeks.

Patients and their families should watch out for depression or thoughts of suicide that get worse. Also watch out for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of antidepressant treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.

If your doctor or health care professional increases the dose of this medicine to more than 10 mg a day, ask him/her about possible interactions with foods that contain tyramine. At higher doses, this medicine may interact with these foods to produce severe headaches, a rise in blood pressure, or irregular heart beat.

You may get drowsy, dizzy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may increase dizziness or drowsiness. Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking this medicine.

This medicine can make your mouth dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water will help.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, flu or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Do not take any medications for weight loss without advice either. Some ingredients in these products may increase possible side effects.

If you are diabetic there is a possibility that this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice if there is any change in your blood or urine sugar tests.


Where should I keep this medicine? (Back to top)
Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Use within 3 months of opening the pouch and immediately after opening individual blister. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.


Last Updated:March 08, 2007

©2008 Express Scripts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
These materials are the property of Express Scripts, Inc. and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. Permission for use is granted only for personal, noncommercial purposes.

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