Selegiline

Selegiline is an MAO enzyme inhibitor that preferentially inhibits MAO-B at the doses commonly used. In medical settings, it is used for Parkinson’s disease and depression. It’s been investigated for other conditions.

The drug is largely void of recreational effects, but it can anecdotally increase motivation and provide some mood improvement. Selegiline is sometimes taken for its potential nootropic and life extension properties.

At common doses, the substance functions by altering dopamine and phenethylamine activity.

Selegiline = Deprenyl; L-deprenyl; (R)-9CI; (-)-Deprenyl; R-Deprenyl; E-250; N,a-Dimethyl-N-2-propynyl; (R)-N-methyl-N-(1-phenylpropan-2-yl)prop-1-yn-3-amine

Dose

Oral (medical)

Parkinson’s: 10 mg

Depression: 30 – 60 mg/day

Oral/Buccal (medical)

Parkinson’s: 1.25 mg

Transdermal (medical)

Total: 6 – 12 mg/day

Oral

Common: 5 – 10 mg

Full range: 1 mg – 10 mg

Timeline

Oral

Subjective: Possibly greatest during the first few hours

Total: Inexact, 24+ hours for MAO inhibition (once daily dosing is used)

Experience Reports

Erowid

References

(2015) An explorative study regarding the effect of l-deprenyl on cognitive and functional recovery in patients after stroke.

(2015) The Perils of Illegitimate Online Pharmacies: Substance-Induced Panic Attacks and Mood Instability Associated With Selegiline and Phenylethylamine.

(2014) Comparative efficacy of selegiline versus rasagiline in the treatment of early Parkinson’s disease.

(2012) A critical review of evidence for preclinical differences between rasagiline and selegiline

(2012) Selegiline: a reappraisal of its role in Parkinson disease.

(2012) Selegiline transdermal system (STS) as an aid for smoking cessation.

(2012) Neuroprotective effects of meloxicam and selegiline in scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative stress.

(2011) The pharmacology of selegiline.

(2010) R-deprenyl: pharmacological spectrum of its activity.

(2008) A review of the literature on the selegiline transdermal system: an effective and well-tolerated monoamine oxidase inhibitor for the treatment of depression.

(2008) The selegiline transdermal system in major depressive disorder: a systematic review of safety and tolerability.

(2004) Transdermal selegiline and intravenous cocaine: safety and interactions.

(2003) Selegiline in the treatment of sexual dysfunction in schizophrenic patients maintained on neuroleptics: a pilot study.

(2003) Selegiline for Alzheimer’s disease.

(2003) A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the safety and efficacy of selegiline transdermal system without dietary restrictions in patients with major depressive disorder.

(2003) A new low-dose formulation of selegiline: clinical efficacy, patient preference and selectivity for MAO-B inhibition.

(2002) Neuroprotective actions of selegiline.

(2002) The effect of selegiline in the treatment of people with Alzheimer’s disease: a meta-analysis of published trials.

(2002) Review: selegiline leads to a small short term improvement in cognition and activities of daily living in Alzheimer’s disease.

(2000) (-)Deprenyl (Selegiline): past, present and future.

(1999) Selegiline effects on cocaine-induced changes in medial temporal lobe metabolism and subjective ratings of euphoria.

(1997) Clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of selegiline. An update.

(1996) Selegiline is neuroprotective in primary brain cultures treated with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium.

(1996) Pharmacology of selegiline.

(1994) Therapy with l-deprenyl (selegiline) and relation to abuse liability.

(1994) Amphetamine-like effect of l-deprenyl (selegiline) in drug discrimination studies.

(1992) The molecular pharmacology of L-deprenyl

(1991) A review of the pharmacology of selegiline.

(1989) A controlled study of the antidepressant efficacy and side effects of (-)-deprenyl. A selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor.

(1987) Cognitive effects of L-deprenyl in Alzheimer’s disease.

(1983) Deprenyl (selegiline): the history of its development and pharmacological action.