Posted by Elizabeth on March 1, 2002, at 19:41:05
In reply to Re:Seligine vs. Selegine, posted by Justine Haviston on February 28, 2002, at 4:20:52
All the names you listed refer to the same drug. It's known as "selegiline" in the USA, where it goes by the brand name "Eldepryl" and is also available in generics. In Europe, the name "deprenyl" is usually used rather than "selegiline;" the only European brand name that I've heard of for this drug is Jumex. It's often called "l-deprenyl" to indicate that it consists only of the "levo-" (left-handed) stereoisomer, rather than being a racemic mixture like most drugs.
Selegiline binds selectively to MAO-B at lower doses; once you get past 20 mg/day or so, though, it starts to inhibit the MAO-A isoenzyme as well. It is an irreversible MAO inhibitor, like phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan). Therefore, at the higher doses, it is necessary to observe the usual MAOI dietary restrictions.
Although they are both MAO inhibitors, selegiline should not be considered a substitute for Nardil. Selegiline is an effective antidepressant, but this has only been demonstrated in high doses (about 30-60 mg/day). Selegiline has also been examined in attention-deficit disorder, with mixed results. Children with ADHD appear to benefit from low-dose selegiline, but it's not clear what the effective range is in adults.
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:5905
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020301/msgs/95995.html