Selegiline is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor used to treat major depressive disorder and Parkinson's. It is used in newly diagnosed patients with Parkinson's disease.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Although the mechanisms for selegiline's beneficial action in the treatment of Parkinson's disease are not fully understood, the selective, irreversible inhibition of monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) is thought to be of primary importance. MAO-B is involved in the oxidative deamination of dopamine in the brain. Selegiline binds to MAO-B within the nigrostriatal pathways in the central nervous system, thus blocking microsomal metabolism of dopamine and enhancing the dopaminergic activity in the substantial nigra. Selegiline may also increase dopaminergic activity through mechanisms other than inhibition of MAO-B. At higher doses, selegiline can also inhibit monozmine oxidase type A (MAO-A), allowing it to be used for the treatment of depression.
- Primary indication
- Monotherapy for initial treatment of Parkinson's disease, as well as an adjunct therapy in patients with a decreased response to levodopa/carbadopa.Curator reviewed · 3 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C13H17N · 187.286 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1997 · United States, 1989
- Also known as
- L-Deprenalin
- Brand names
Resolves to
MEZLKOACVSPNER-GFCCVEGCSA-NSMILESC[C@H](CC1=CC=CC=C1)N(C)CC#CWhat you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Selegiline, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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