What is Emsam: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Emsam

• Transdermal routeYour doctor will tell you how many patches to use, where to apply them, and how often to apply them. Do not use more patches or apply them more often than your doctor tells you to. It is usually applied to dry, intact skin of the upper back, upper chest, upper thigh, or on the outer surface of the upper arm.

• Transdermal routeFold the used patch in half with the sticky sides together. Throw any used patch away so that children or pets cannot get to it. You will also need to throw away old patches after the expiration date has passed.

• Transdermal routeStore the patches at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not store this medicine outside of its sealed pouch.

• Transdermal routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after applying a patch. Wash the area of skin where you will apply the patch gently with soap and warm water. Rinse completely and dry with a clean towel.

• Transdermal routeLeave the patch in its sealed wrapper until you are ready to put it on. Tear the wrapper open carefully. NEVER CUT the wrapper or the patch with scissors. Do not use any patch that has been cut by accident.

• Transdermal routeThe patient instructions will show the body areas where you can wear the patch. When putting on each new patch, choose a different place within these areas. Do not put the new patch on the same place you wore the last one. Be sure to remove the old patch before applying a new one. Only one patch should be worn at a time.

• Transdermal routeDo not put the patch over burns, cuts, or irritated skin. Avoid putting the patch on areas where the skin is hairy, oily, scared, or calloused, or where it could be rubbed off by tight clothing. After you apply the patch, press it down with your fingers and the palm of your hand to make sure it sticks to your skin.

• Transdermal routePut on a new patch if the old one has fallen off and cannot be reapplied.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Missed dose: Transdermal routeIf you forget to wear or change a patch, put one on as soon as you can. If it is almost time to put on your next patch, wait until then to apply a new patch and skip the one you missed. Do not apply extra patches to make up for a missed dose.

• Transdermal routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after applying a patch. Wash the area of skin where you will apply the patch gently with soap and warm water. Rinse completely and dry with a clean towel.

• Transdermal routeStore the patches at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not store this medicine outside of its sealed pouch.

• Transdermal routePut on a new patch if the old one has fallen off and cannot be reapplied.

• Transdermal routeLeave the patch in its sealed wrapper until you are ready to put it on. Tear the wrapper open carefully. NEVER CUT the wrapper or the patch with scissors. Do not use any patch that has been cut by accident.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Transdermal routeFold the used patch in half with the sticky sides together. Throw any used patch away so that children or pets cannot get to it. You will also need to throw away old patches after the expiration date has passed.

• Transdermal routeYour doctor will tell you how many patches to use, where to apply them, and how often to apply them. Do not use more patches or apply them more often than your doctor tells you to. It is usually applied to dry, intact skin of the upper back, upper chest, upper thigh, or on the outer surface of the upper arm.

• Transdermal routeThe patient instructions will show the body areas where you can wear the patch. When putting on each new patch, choose a different place within these areas. Do not put the new patch on the same place you wore the last one. Be sure to remove the old patch before applying a new one. Only one patch should be worn at a time.

• Transdermal routeDo not put the patch over burns, cuts, or irritated skin. Avoid putting the patch on areas where the skin is hairy, oily, scared, or calloused, or where it could be rubbed off by tight clothing. After you apply the patch, press it down with your fingers and the palm of your hand to make sure it sticks to your skin.

• Missed dose: Transdermal routeIf you forget to wear or change a patch, put one on as soon as you can. If it is almost time to put on your next patch, wait until then to apply a new patch and skip the one you missed. Do not apply extra patches to make up for a missed dose.

What to do if you miss a dose of Emsam

Emsam contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to selegiline, or if you have pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland problem).

Emsam warnings

• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or a history of seizures, bipolar disorder, or mania.

• Do not breastfeed during treatment with this medicine and for 5 days after your last dose.

• For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase mental or emotional problems. This may lead to thoughts of suicide and violence. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder or suicide attempts.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Extremely high blood pressure, which could be life-threatening Serotonin syndrome (when used with other medicines)

• Do not let the patch get too hot. Avoid direct sunlight. Do not use an electric blanket or heating pad, heat lamp, sauna, hot tub, or a heated water bed while you are wearing it.

• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests. Also, this medicine may interact with the dye used during some medical tests.

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Emsam interactions

• You must avoid many other medicines while you are using selegiline. These medicines used together could cause serious health problems, including death. Ask your doctor before you use any other medicine. You may need to wait 1 to 5 weeks before you can use other medicines.

• Do not use selegiline if you have used an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days. Do not use this medicine if you are also using medicine to treat depression (including an SSRI, SNRI, or TCA), narcotic pain medicine (including meperidine, tramadol, or methadone), dextromethorphan, or carbamazepine. This is not a complete list.

• Avoid foods and drinks that are high in tyramine, because your blood pressure could get dangerously high. Your doctor should give you a complete list. In general, do not eat anything aged or fermented, such as most cheese, most alcohol, cured meat (such as salami), sauerkraut, and soy sauce. Check the expiration dates on packages. Tyramine levels get higher as food gets older or if it has not been refrigerated properly.

• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. Also limit how much caffeine you eat or drink.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

• Other medicines can affect how selegiline works. Tell your doctor if you are also using buspirone or cough or cold medicine (including pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, or phenylpropanolamine).