Warnings


What may interact with EMSAM?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:
-Atomoxetine
-Carbamazepine
-Cyclobenzaprine
-Dextromethorphan
-MAOIs, such as Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-Medications for pain, such as meperidine, tramadol, methadone, pentazocine
-Most other medications for depression
-Other medications containing selegiline, such as Eldepryl and Zelapar
-Rasagiline
-Safinamide
-Stimulant medications for attention disorders
-St. John's wort
-Viloxazine
This medication may also interact with the following:
-Alcohol
-Buspirone
-Ephedrine
-Epinephrine or racepinephrine
-Medications for nasal congestion, such as phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine
-Norepinephrine
-Stimulant medications for weight loss or staying awake

What should I tell my health care provider before I take EMSAM

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-Bipolar disorder
-Frequently drink alcohol
-High blood pressure
-Liver disease
-Pheochromocytoma
-Skin conditions or sensitivity
-Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt by you or a family member
-An unusual or allergic reaction to selegiline, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breastfeeding

What should I watch for while using EMSAM?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Because it may take several weeks to see the full effects of this medication, it is important to continue your treatment as prescribed by your care team. Do not suddenly stop taking this medication. You may develop a severe reaction. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take. If your care team wants you to stop the medication, the dose may be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.
This medication may cause thoughts of suicide or depression. This includes sudden changes in mood, behaviors, or thoughts. These changes can happen at any time but are more common in the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose. Call your care team right away if you experience these thoughts or worsening depression.
If your care team increases the dose of this medication to more than 6 mg a day, ask about possible interactions with foods that contain tyramine because this medication may interact with these foods to produce severe headaches, a rise in blood pressure, or irregular heart beat. Continue to avoid tyramine-rich foods or beverages for 2 weeks after your care team reduces your medication to the 6 mg a day dose, or after you stop the 9 mg or 12 mg a day dose. If you start and continue the 6 mg dose, you do not need to make any diet changes.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without asking your care team for advice. Do not take any medications for weight loss without advice either. Some ingredients in these products may increase possible side effects.
This medication may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your care team before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medication.
If you are scheduled for any medical or dental procedure, tell your care team that you are taking this medication. This medication can interact with other medications used during surgery.
This medication patch is sensitive to certain body heat changes. If your skin gets too hot, more medication will come out of the patch. Call your care team if you get a fever. Do not take hot baths. Do not sunbathe. Do not use hot tubs, saunas, hairdryers, heating pads, electric blankets, heated waterbeds, or tanning lamps. Do not do exercise that increases your body temperature.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Keep this medication in the protective pouch until you are ready to use it. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:
-Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
-If you cannot return the medication, ask your pharmacist or care team how to get rid of this medication safely.
When you remove a used patch, fold with sticky sides together and put in an empty opened pouch. Immediately throw away in a container with a lid so that children and pets cannot reach it. Wash your hands.