selegiline
Selegiline is used to help control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD; a disorder of the nervous system that causes difficulties with movement, muscle control, and balance) in people who are taking levodopa and carbidopa combination (Sinemet). Selegiline may help people with Parkinson's disease by decreasing the dose of levodopa/carbidopa needed to control symptoms, stopping the effects of levodopa/carbidopa from wearing off between doses, and increasing the length of time that levodopa/carbidopa will continue to control symptoms. Selegiline is in a group of medications called monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitors. It works by increasing the amount of dopamine (a natural substance that is needed to control movement) in the brain.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Decisions about medication use during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking selegiline affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
According to the MotherToBaby fact sheet, it is not known whether selegiline can make it harder to get pregnant. If you have questions about fertility while taking this medication, it is best to discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Does taking selegiline increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. The fact sheet notes that studies have not been done to see if selegiline could increase the chance of miscarriage, so this question is best discussed with your healthcare provider.
Does taking selegiline increase the risk of birth defects?
About 3 out of 100 babies are born with a birth defect for various reasons, and it is not known if selegiline changes this baseline chance. Experimental animal studies did not find a higher chance of birth defects, and 3 case reports of women exposed to selegiline (2 who stopped and 1 who continued) all had healthy infants, but human studies have not been done. Your healthcare provider can help weigh this information for your situation.
Can taking selegiline during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
The fact sheet states that studies have not been done to see if selegiline increases the chance of pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery or low birth weight. Any concerns about pregnancy complications should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Can taking selegiline during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
According to the fact sheet, studies have not been done to see if selegiline can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child. This is something to talk over with your healthcare provider as part of your overall treatment plan.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking selegiline?
Selegiline has not been well studied during breastfeeding, and it is not known how much passes into breastmilk; 2 case reports of breastfeeding did not note developmental issues. The product label recommends against use while breastfeeding due to concerns about possible side effects in the nursing child, though the fact sheet notes the benefits of breastfeeding and using selegiline may outweigh possible risks in some situations. Your healthcare provider can help you decide what is best for you and your baby.
Source: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet
selegiline