Why is Selegiline prescribed?
Selegiline is prescribed along with Sinemet (levodopa/carbidopa) for people with Parkinson’s disease. It is used when Sinemet no longer seems to be working well. Selegiline has no effect when taken by itself; it works only in combination with Larodopa (levodopa) or Sinemet. Parkinson’s disease, which causes muscle rigidity and difficulty with walking and talking, involves the progressive degeneration of a particular type of nerve cell. Early on, Larodopa or Sinemet alone may alleviate the symptoms of the disease. In time, however, these medications work less well; their effectiveness seems to switch on and off at random, and the individual may begin to experience side effects such as involuntary movements and “freezing” in mid-motion.
