How to Dose Transdermal Selegiline for Treatment-Resistant MDD?

Transdermal selegiline is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) used as a treatment option for patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD).

Why Transdermal Selegiline preferred over Oral Selegiline?

  • Unlike oral selegiline, the transdermal patch bypasses the digestive system, reducing the risk of hypertensive crises related to dietary tyramine.

How to Dose Transdermal Selegiline for MDD?

  • Starting Dose: 6 mg/24 hours
  • Titrated up based on the patient’s clinical response, to a maximum of 12 mg/24 hours.

Role of Dietary Restrictions with Transdermal Selegiline:

  • At doses below 9 mg/24 hours, dietary restrictions are generally not necessary, but for higher doses, patients should be advised to follow a low-tyramine diet. 

This video is part of our first CME course on Mastering Major Depressive Disorder Psychopharmacology, offering 8.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. If you’re a medical professional looking to enhance your knowledge with evidence-based, clinically relevant material, I encourage you to enroll in the course. It’s designed to provide practical insights for improving patient outcomes in everyday clinical practice.

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  1. Evaluate the pharmacological mechanisms and clinical efficacy of various antidepressants used in treating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
  2. Apply evidence-based strategies to optimize antidepressant selection and dosing, tailored to individual patient profiles. 
  3. Integrate adjunctive treatment options to enhance therapeutic outcomes in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
  4. Differentiate between various antidepressants in terms of their pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and side effect profiles.
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