Posted by Friend on October 4, 1999, at 9:23:54
In reply to Re: Selegiline for depression?, posted by Adam on October 1, 1999, at 12:10:49
Yes, I've heard of it being used for depression. Selegiline is an MAO inhibitor. MAO inhibitors can be classified in three ways: (1) Selective or non-selective (that is, it inhibits MAO-A or MAO-B, (2) reversible or non-reversible, and (3) chemical structure - hydrazine and non-hydrazine. Selegiline is non-reversible and a non-hydrazine. At ORAL dosage of less than 10-15 mg/day, it is a selective inhibitor of MAO-B. Inhibiting MAO-B enhances the supply of the neurotransmitter dopamine. At higher doses (ORAL doses above 10-15 mg/day, it loses its selectivity, and inhibits both MAO-A and MAO-B, thereby affecting other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. My experience is that, unlike Parnate (which is also a non-selective, non-reversible, non-hydrazine MAO inhibitor) it does not cause sexual dysfunction, weight gain, orthostatic hypotention (dizziness upon rising due to lowering of blood pressure), dry mouth, daytime sleepiness, etc. I can't personally comment on its affect upon depression - I took it on the chance it might help my social phobia. I believe there is some additional information on its uses for depression in Dr. Ivan's depression central website.
Hope it works for you.
poster:Friend
thread:5905
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991001/msgs/12518.html