Safety of selegiline with cold medications.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety of the coadministration of selegiline with cold medications.


METHODS
Clinical literature accessed through MEDLINE (1965 -September 2002), IPA database, and Drug-Reax System. The following search terms were used: selegiline, pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, MAOI, and drug interactions. Somerset Pharmaceuticals, the marketers of Eldepryl (selegiline HCl), were also contacted.


RESULTS
Despite a warning against its concomitant use with pseudoephedrine and dextromethorphan, interactions with selegiline have not been reported. However, there have been reports of patients experiencing adverse events with related agents.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients taking selegiline should try to avoid pseudoephedrine and dextromethorphan or use drugs without interaction potential. If selegiline is used with these medications, watch for adverse events or replace selegiline with another drug.
Jacob
Jeena E
JE
Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
Wagner
Mary L
ML
Sage
Jacob I
JI
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003915:Dextromethorphan / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D012642:Selegiline / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D000996:Antitussive Agents; D014663:Nasal Decongestants; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D012642:Selegiline; D003915:Dextromethorphan; D004809:Ephedrine