selegiline
n. a drug used orally as an adjunct in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and transdermally in the treatment of depression. At low doses, it selectively inhibits the enzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B)—which degrades the neurotransmitter dopamine—and thereby increases levels of dopamine in the brain. Because selegiline is an irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), and at higher doses it inhibits both MAO-A and MAO-B, great care must be taken not to exceed the therapeutic dosage in order to avoid the severe adverse effects of nonselective, irreversible MAOIs. Adverse drug interactions have been observed with commonly prescribed antidepressants, and thus, concurrent administration of selegiline and these should be avoided. Also called deprenyl. U.S. trade names: Eldepryl; EMSAM.