Posted by RN320 on December 6, 2006, at 8:26:36
In reply to Anyone tried oral selegiline?, posted by yesac on December 5, 2006, at 12:37:04
I've been on EMSAM since June and had really good results. I was deemed "treatment resistant" for 5 years previously. I found out recently that I'm not going to be able to afford it with changes to my medicare drug plan starting Jan 1st, so I talked to my pdoc yesterday about the possibility of switching over to the oral selegeline. His response was interesting. He said that the oral version is not effective in treating depression because you cannot give a high enough dose safely. Because of EMSAM's transdermal absorption you're able to absorb more of the med than if you took it orally. I may have to now go on Nardil or Parnate, and it's a real drag to even think about that since the EMSAM worked so well for me. I don't qualify for any "assistance programs" so I think I'm screwed. The manufacturer has made it pretty clear to pdocs that their ability to obtain samples is limited, so I doubt that route will work for me as it has done with other meds in the past. My only advice to you is to make sure that you have the means to afford this drug if you decide to try it- it's about $500 at my dose.
Good luck to you.
poster:RN320
thread:710581
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061206/msgs/710813.html