Drug interactions
Carbidopa-levodopa + Selegiline transdermal
Severity: Contraindicated
Carbidopa-levodopa and Selegiline transdermal: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Transdermal selegiline at antidepressant doses inhibits MAO-A and MAO-B non-selectively. With levodopa, accumulated catecholamines can precipitate hypertensive crisis.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbidopa-levodopa and Selegiline transdermal are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
Non-selective MAO inhibition blocks catecholamine breakdown, potentiating levodopa-derived dopamine and noradrenaline.
What to do
Avoid the combination; use another antidepressant or antiparkinsonian regimen.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Carbidopa-levodopa
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Carbidopa-levodopa Major
- Asenapine + Carbidopa-levodopa Major
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Chlorpromazine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbidopa-levodopa with Selegiline transdermal?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Carbidopa-levodopa and Selegiline transdermal are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Transdermal selegiline at antidepressant doses inhibits MAO-A and MAO-B non-selectively. With levodopa, accumulated catecholamines can precipitate hypertensive crisis.
How serious is the interaction between Carbidopa-levodopa and Selegiline transdermal?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination; use another antidepressant or antiparkinsonian regimen.
What other medicines interact with Carbidopa-levodopa?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Carbidopa-levodopa with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine. The full list is on the Carbidopa-levodopa page.
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