Emsam (selegiline transdermal system) is a transdermal patch using the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) selegiline. The skeletal formula of an Organic compound is a shorthand representation of its molecular structure. A transdermal patch or skin patch is a Medicated Adhesive patch that is placed on the Skin to deliver a specific Dose of medication Monoamine oxidase inhibitors ( MAOIs) are a class of powerful antidepressant drugs prescribed for the treatment of depression. Selegiline (l-deprenyl Eldepryl Zelapar or Anipryl Veterinary) is a drug used for the treatment of early-stage Parkinson's disease, Depression Selegiline, in small doses, is most commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease (also known as Parkinson disease or PD) is a degenerative disorder of the Central nervous system that often impairs the sufferer's It is also effective in higher doses for the treatment of major depressive disorder. [1] On February 28, 2006 the FDA approved EMSAM for the treatment of clinical depression. Major depressive disorder, also known as major depression, unipolar depression, unipolar disorder, clinical depression, or simply depression [2] [3] [4]
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Emsam's development was spearheaded by J. Alexander, M. D. [5], Director of the Clinical Psychopharmacology Research Program at McLean Hospital in Belmont MA, in conjunction with Harvard Medical School. McLean Hospital (pronounced 'Mc-Lane' is a Psychiatric hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. Harvard Medical School ( HMS) is one of the graduate schools of Harvard University and currently the #1 medical school in America as ranked by U [4] [6] [7] [8] Currently, it is the only MAOI on the market used in the treatment of depression that is absorbed through the skin into the blood stream and thereby to the central nervous system. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors ( MAOIs) are a class of powerful antidepressant drugs prescribed for the treatment of depression. In Vertebrates the central nervous system ( CNS) is the part of the Nervous system which is enclosed in the Meninges.
The patch "is a matrix containing three layers consisting of a backing, an. . . adhesive drug layer, and a release liner that is placed against the skin. "[1] The primary advantage of delivering selegiline in this manner is to bypass the gastrointestinal tract and liver, specifically the small intestine, thereby limiting the chance of hypertensive crisis (very high spike in blood pressure possibly leading to stroke). [1] [9] [10]
"Despite long-standing concerns over hypertensive reactions,. . . (MAOIs) have grown in popularity. . . (and) the risk of hypertensive episodes is less than 1%. "[11]
The dietary problem was first discovered by a neurologist whose wife was taking an MAO inhibitor. After eating hard cheese, which is rich in tyramine, she would get severe headaches; thus, her husband's discovery of these spikes in blood pressure. In organic Chemistry tyramine (4-hydroxy- Phenethylamine, para-tyramine p-tyramine is a Monoamine compound derived from the For this reason, the crisis is still called the "cheese syndrome", even though other foods can cause the same problem. This is a list of foods containing tyramine. Tyramine is an amine which causes elevated blood pressure and Tachycardia by displacing norepinephrine from storage vesicles
When an MAOI is taken orally, and an individual ingests such tyramine rich foods, the body can not properly regulate the additional tyramine. In organic Chemistry tyramine (4-hydroxy- Phenethylamine, para-tyramine p-tyramine is a Monoamine compound derived from the Therefore, dietary modifications are necessary. Foods containing considerable amounts of tyramine include: air dried, aged and fermented meats, sausages and salamis; pickled herring; any spoiled or improperly stored meat, poultry and fish; spoiled or improperly stored animal livers; broad bean pods (fava beans); all tap beers, and other beers that have not been pasteurized; concentrated yeast extract (such as Marmite); most soybean products (including soy sauce and tofu); aged cheeses (not processed cheese); sauerkraut; and over-the-counter supplements containing tyramine. Herring are small Oily fish of the genus Clupea found in the shallow temperate waters of the North Atlantic, the Baltic Sea, the North Vicia faba, the broad bean, fava bean, faba bean, horse bean, field bean, tic bean is a species of Draught beer (also known as draft beer or tap beer) has several related though slightly different understandings Marmite (/ˈmɑːmaɪt/ is the name given to two similar food spreads a British version produced in the United Kingdom and South Africa and the other in New Soy sauce ( US) soya sauce ( Commonwealth) shoyu ( Japan) or sillao ( Peru) is a fermented Sauce Tofu, also (the Japanese Romaji spelling doufu (the Chinese Pinyin spelling often used in Chinese recipes or bean curd (the literal Processed cheese, process cheese, prepared cheese, or cheese food is a food product made from regular Cheese and sometimes other unfermented Sauerkraut ( English:, German:, Yiddish: ˈzɔi̯əʀˌkʀɔi̯t is finely shredded Cabbage that has been fermented by various In organic Chemistry tyramine (4-hydroxy- Phenethylamine, para-tyramine p-tyramine is a Monoamine compound derived from the [7] [12] [13][14][15]
Due mainly to the availability of the newer SSRIs and SNRIs, which are viewed to have more medically benign side effects in the treatment of depression, psychopharmacologists and psychiatrists have avoided prescribing MAOIs[1][11] [16] [17] because of the possibility of hypertensive crisis. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs) are a class of Antidepressants used in the treatment of depression, Anxiety disorders A psychiatrist (also archaically called an alienist) is a Physician who specializes in Psychiatry and is certified in treating Mental disorders With Emsam, taken at the lowest dose of 6 mg every 24 hours, no dietary modifications are required by the FDA[2]
In addition to the lack of dietary restrictions at the 6mg/24h dose, Emsam offers[10] another benefit. It is a continuous delivery system, keeping the medication at a steady level in the body over time, although there is no evidence that this makes a difference in terms of the efficacy or side effects of this medication. [18] Generally, oral medication can not keep a steady dose in the blood stream.
Emsam is also valuable in the treatment of depression that is not alleviated by the more commonly used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), dual serotonin and norepinephrine reupatake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
Somewhat surprisingly, clinical trials done with MAOIs do not find that they are more effective than other antidepressants when they are tested in large groups of people. However, for certain individuals, especially individuals who have not done well on other antidepressants, an MAOI may be best. MAOIs are thought to be particularly effective in what has been called "atypical" depression. Atypical depressions are characterized by an increased need for sleep, increased appetite, and increased severity of depressive symptoms towards the end of the day.
The patch is changed once daily. There may be a reaction to the adhesive on the skin at the site of application. Glue or adhesive is a compound that adheres or bonds two items together [19] Patients are encouraged to use an adhesive remover: usually mineral oil, Vaseline or an over-the-counter product such as dermatology recommended TRIAD brand adhesive tape remover pads. Mineral oil or liquid Petroleum is a By-product in the Distillation of Petroleum to produce Gasoline and other petroleum Vaseline (Vasenol in Portugal Brazil Italy and Spain is a brand of Petroleum jelly based products owned by Anglo-Dutch company Unilever. A new patch is placed on a different site. The combination of adhesive remover, and placing each patch on a new area of skin, is to discourage any dermatological reason for discontinuance of the patch.
Using rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean the skin of oils and dirt before applying a patch can increase the likelihood of proper attachment for the duration of each 24 hour period. Rubbing alcohol USP / BP is a liquid prepared and used primarily for Topical application Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 is a very pale blue liquid which appears colorless in a dilute solution slightly more Viscous than water Immediately after applying a patch it can be helpful to use the pressure and body heat of the palm of the hand to enhance proper adhesive contact.
All of the dietary restrictions are currently required by the FDA, as a precaution, at the higher 9 mg/24h and 12 mg/24h doses of Emsam. [20]
Over-the-counter items that can not be used while on Emsam include: St. John's Wort; products containing dextromethorphan such as cough and cold preparations; decongestant medicines; and diet pills or herbal weight loss products. St John's wort (pronounced) used alone refers to the species Hypericum perforatum, also known as Tipton's Weed or Klamath weed, but with qualifiers is Dextromethorphan ( DXM or DM) is an Antitussive (cough suppressant drug found in many over-the-counter cold and Cough medicines A decongestant is a broad class of Medications used to relieve Nasal congestion. Caffeine and chocolate can only be consumed in small amounts. Caffeine is a bitter white crystalline Xanthine Alkaloid that acts as a Psychoactive Stimulant Drug and a mild Diuretic Chocolate ( pronounced or /-ˈələt/ comprises a number of raw and processed foods that are produced from the seed of the tropical Cacao tree
There are prescription medications that can not be taken while using Emsam, and for 2 weeks after stopping Emsam. [4] Some medications must not be taken for 1 week (or more) before an individual can start using Emsam.
Medications that can not be taken because they can cause serotonin syndrome [21] include: (SSRIs), (SNRIs), (TCAs), other MAOIs, mirtazapine, bupropion, meperidine, analgesics such as tramadol, methadone, propoxyphene, cyclobezaprine and oral selegiline. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening adverse drug reaction that may occur following therapeutic drug use inadvertent interactions between drugs or the recreational [4] The use of Emsam is contraindicated for use with sympathomimetic amines, including amphetamines as well as cold products and weight-reducing preparations that contain vasoconstrictors (e. g. , pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, and ephedrine). Carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine are also contraindicated. [4]
Patients taking Emsam should not undergo elective surgery requiring general anesthesia or be given local anesthesia containing sympathomimetic vasoconstrictors. [4]
The acronym Emsam is derived from the names Emily and Samuel. They are the children of Mel Sharoky, M. D. , CEO of Emsam's manufacturer, Somerset Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ,[22] The prescription medication is distributed by Bristol-Myers Squibb out of Princeton NJ
Using EMSAM in Lower Doses May Avoid Concerns About Drug Interactions"". Medicine Net. com.