There are many medicines available to treat many health conditions. You will be surprised to know medicine itself can be available in many forms which makes it easier for patients to take it regularly. Medicine in the form of patches has become popular in the past years. One of the medications known as a selegiline patch may be something new to you. Here we will learn more about the selegiline patch.
Before going further on the selegiline patch, what exactly is selegiline? Selegiline is known as a substance belonging to monoamine inhibitor (MAO) inhibitors. MAO enzymes are responsible for breakdown of brain chemicals such as norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. Thus, MAO inhibitors work to prevent such action and balance the brain chemicals needed. Selegiline can be found in both oral and transdermal such as in patch. Selegiline in general is used to treat Parkinson disease and major depressive disorder (MDD). Selegiline may also be used in patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). From here on, we will talk about the selegiline patch.
Selegiline patch is used to treat MDD in adults. This is because transdermal patch delivers higher and more sustained selegiline to the brain via the bloodstream. You may wonder how a transdermal patch works in general. In short, transdermal patches are patches containing substances that are absorbed through the skin when it is adhesive to the skin. This will then lead to the drug being absorbed into the bloodstream and avoiding the digestive tract. Transdermal patch can be the best way of delivering medications for the body as it contains less to none side effects and the most convenient method of administering the medication. It also does not cause pain and can be stopped at any time simply by taking it off.
Selegiline patch is available in many strengths which are 6 mg in 24 hours, 9 mg in 24 hours and 12 mg in 24 hours. Selegiline patch should be applied once every 24 hours. It is best for the patch to be used on skin that is dry and to a location such as the upper arm, below the neck above the waist (upper torso) or upper thighs. Patients are encouraged to apply a selegiline patch on areas where the patch will not be rubbed by tight clothing. Avoid applying a selegiline patch on oily skin area, hairy parts and skin that is irritated , scarred or broken.
Patients are often initially placed on the strengths of the patch with 6 mg in 24 hours. This is also considered the targeted dose. Despite this, the dose can be increased as recommended to cater the need for patient’s improvement. Dose should be increased 3 mg every 24 hours with maximum daily dose of 12 mg at intervals of every 2 weeks or longer. This means that patients are expected to have a gradual increase of the dose of the selegiline patch, once every 2 weeks. To ensure the patch delivers the right dose, it is not recommended to cut patches.
Selegiline patch is applied once a day and can be left in place for 24 hours. Patients are advised to remove the old selegiline patch before applying new one, around the same time everyday. It is important for patients that use a selegiline patch to use it as directed by doctors or pharmacists. It is not advisable to use more patches or apply more frequently than what is prescribed by a doctor. If a selegiline patch loose or falls off before the time it needs to be replaced, patients can try to press it back with their fingers. However, if the selegiline patch is unable to be pressed back on, throw away the patch and apply a new fresh one to a different area. Patients are recommended to avoid the patch from direct heat such as heat lamps, hot tubs and heating pads.
As convenient it may seem, selegiline patch similar to many other medications used, do actually have potential side effects. Common side effects are the inflammation to the site where the patch is placed onto and those with fair skin are at the highest risk for such an event. Other side effects include insomnia, dizziness, nervousness and abnormal dreams. Similar to other antidepressant, there is tendency for selegiline patch to increase suicidal ideation or behaviour, especially in youths. It is important when there is ideation of harming oneself or suicide attempt occur, patient themselves, family or caregiver need to call doctor right away. Healthcare providers will want to see patients frequently when beginning to use a selegiline patch to ensure the patient can cope with the medication.
Maintain Hygiene
In essence, selegiline patch is mostly used in treating MDD in adults. There are actually children younger than 18 years old who use this prescribed patch but often because it is the best for the individual. It is important to use a selegiline patch as prescribed by a doctor. Most patients that use selegiline patch tolerate well and only small side effects.
