EMSAM Reviews (SELEGILINE)Average Rating: 3.6 (65 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare EMSAM with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Gender males first. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
More on EMSAM: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR EMSAM | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 5 | depression | localized acne/skin irritation. difficulty with orgasm. | the first drug that's actually helped me with my depression! | M | 52 | 3 months 24mg 1X day | 7/26/2010 | 5 | Major Depression | It's been a year since I stopped Emsam, so my memory of the side effects is reduced to just the most problematic ones. At the top of the list is insomnia. I normally sleep 7-8 hours, but on Emsam, I only slept 5-6 hours and much of that was "light" sleeping. As a disclaimer, I was also abusing caffeine (3-6 cups a day) and chocolate (1 very dark bar per day) and these couldn't have helped. Sexually, I found it difficult, but not impossible to have an orgasm. Erectile function and desire were normal - unlike my experience with many SSRI's and SSNRI's. Taste perversion. This is a term used in the literature to refer to drugs that change your sense of taste. What I noticed first was that a beer I had been drinking for years all of a sudden seemed extremely bitter. For the most part, this change in taste was not a bad thing because I strangely seemed to like only healthy foods (fruit, vegetables, nuts, etc.) and had little desire for unhealthy ones (desserts, fries, | This is the best antidepressant I have ever been on. It wasn't perfect, but it brought me back from a suicidal brink that no other medications could do (or not without intolerable side effects). After decades of living a muted, desperate and unsatisfactory life, I was back reconnecting with friends, and doing activities that I had given up years ago because of lack of interest (surfing, hiking, traveling, photography, exercise). I quit taking Emsam after 3 years because of insomnia and a gradual lessening of efficacy. However, as I noted under the side effects, I was also abusing caffeine and chocolate as well as alcohol (2-5 beers/day). These may have played a part in both the insomnia and the sense that the efficacy was decreasing. I have read some anecdotal evidence that MAOI's can increase addictive behavior. I am not sure if this is what happened to me or not, but the key is not to get started with any of these substances in the first place. Once you are started with them, it is very difficult to stop. The good thing, at least for me, is that I am now off them. After a year of being off Emsam, I am ready to try again - sans caffeine, chocolate and alchol. | M | 53 | 3 years 9MG 1X day | 6/11/2011 | 5 | SAD,ADD,and life extension | the first couple of weeks I had a pick me affect and better concentration. sleeping was not sound until after two weeks. I had been in wellbutrun sr for the last cuople of years and very much liked that med. But when emsam came out i tried to get my doc to prescribe it for me, finally he gave me the prescription last month. I used to order liquid deprenyl from England. | I will take this med and life extension med for life and living longer. look up IAS for more info | M | 56 | 15 years | 12/15/2007 | 5 | depression | At first did not work well because I didn't figure out how to apply it. This has the least amount of side affects than other med I have tried. Cant sleep at night, So some times I just take the patch off at night and put a new one on it the morning. | I have found out that you must apply this patch one way only for it to work well. 1. I use hydrogen peroxide on my skin were you are going to apply it. It does not dry out your skin. 2. Your upper chest or middle of outer arm works well as the patch will not crease or fold as you move around. 3. You have to take the small peace of plastic off first and stick it to you skin. Then take the big peace fold it over to the other small peace and press and move it down tell it comes off you may have to try this a number of times before you get it down. There should not be any creases in the patch or bubbles for it to work good. Hope this helps every one having trouble with the patch, I think it's the best product out there for depression if applied wrong it wont work as well if at all. | M | 30 | 4 months | 6/9/2008 | 5 | bipolar (rapid cycling) | For the first 6-8 months after I began taking EMSAM I experienced severe acne on my upper trunk and arms -- a shock to the system of a 45 year old man who never had acne before. However, this very unpleasant and disturbing side effect diminished considerably by the end of the first year. Oddly, I found that once I limited application of the patch to my back, and no longer applied it to my chest or upper arms, the acne diminished. I also experience some insomnia, of a different and less disruptive sort than I experience when I am having bipolar episodes. The insomnia is usually quite manageable only occasionally disrupting my daily functioning. Also, though it may be unrelated to the EMSAM and more related to the discontinuation of my previous medication, I note that I have gained significant weight(going from 165 pounds to 210 pounds)since starting the EMSAM although my diet and exercise routine are unchanged or better than they were before. | I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder (rapid cycling) nearly 20 years ago. I have been on dozens of medications (all the usual suspects), abandoning each in turn for lack of efficacy or intolerable side effects (e.g., toxicity, dramatic weight gain, loss of bladder control, excessive sedation, mental dullness or confusion). My doctor finally prescribed EMSAM, in combination with Lamictal and Deplin, and I am thrilled to report that is the first regime that has had any modicum of long-term success (now 18 months) in the treatment of my bipolar disorder. The bipolar episodes are much more muted, of shorter duration, and far less frequent than they were with any other medication regime. As the side effects are very tolerable compared to the other medications I have used and the efficacy quite high, this is a "miracle" drug for me. If only it worked so well for everyone! | M | 45 | 18 months | 5/31/2009 | 5 | Major depressive disorder | Occasional dizziness when standing quickly or urinating while standing | Wonderfully effective, without any mental side effects. It just works, period. | M | 24 | 2 years 9 mg | 12/16/2016 | 5 | Atypical depression | No noted side effects. | I started experiencing depressive bouts in my late teens...40 years of therapy, every known medication but few with efficacy. An insightful physician and friend recognized my chronic depressive pain and arranged an evaluation at the Mayo Clinic. They prescribed Emsam and it was like a switch...like going from black and white tv to color. The effects were immediate and have been consistent for over 10 years. It’s a miracle medication for those that have struggled. My only complaint is it’s cost...about $2000 a month. With Medicare its about $700 . At times I am unable to afford the prescription and within 2 weeks I return to a deep sorrow, complete lack of mental clarity, frustration and anger... But quickly recover once I’m back on “the patch”. Highly recommended . | M | 67 | 10 years 6mg 1X day | 1/29/2021 | 5 | Severe Atypical Depression | Insomnia responded to low dose quetiapene. Application Site Reaction responded to using skin lotion to remove. | Life-saving and incredibly transformative medication. Too bad it took me 35 years to get on an MAOI. Psychiatry should be embarrassed that they don't use MAOIs frequently enough. | M | 54 | 6 months 12 mg 1X day | 9/28/2021 | 5 | History of atypical depression | So far just falling asleep. Benadryl helped. | Perhaps this is a bit premature, but on my 4th day I am feeling terrific. The first antidepressant I took was Nardil 30 years ago. That worked liked a dream but had to stop because of severe insomnia, Like most people on this thread, I have tried almost every antidepressant that was available before 2010. None alleviated my depression as well as Nardil. I "winged it" for the next 14 years. Retirement, Covid, and some serious health problems set me back and I found myself unable to get out of bed and could not complete the simplest of tasks. Causing problems with my spouse. Because of my experience with Nardil I requested Emsam. I was surprised my HMO approved it. Like Nardil, I started feeling good within 3 days. This is my 4th and I am up, dressed, and ready to go! My only complaint is the cost. Fortunately my insurance covers all but $75 but the retail is almost $2000/month - so this is out of reach for many people. Well off patent time and needs a generic. | M | 70 | 4 days 6 mg 1X day | 1/23/2024 | 4 | Depression and anxiety | Increased energy and difficulty with sleep | I've tried a lot of antidepressants over the years for depression and anxiety. The only one i liked was mirtazapine but it caused massive weight gain. Emsam has been great, very limited side effects just stimulation. Sometimes skin pain where i put on the patch but i just move the next one to another spot. 6mg is low dose so i don't need to watch my diet but doesn't work as well as a higher dose. | M | 50 | 5 years 6mg 1X day | 5/18/2021 | 4 | Treatment resistant depression | Insomnia, loss of appetite. | 6 mg patches work best for me. I went up to 9 mg but I had major insomnia and greatly increased depression. 6 mg patches greatly decrease my anxiety and help with the depression without the sleepiness caused by most other depression meds. Though it does not make sense to me, on several occasions I have cut 12 mg patches in half, and it does NOT work the same as whole 6 mg patches do. I have a huge increase in depressive symptoms, agitation and insomnia. Last time I cut a 12 I thought I would have to go to the ER for the severe depression I experienced. | M | 51 | 3 weeks 6 mg patch 1X day | 4/27/2015 | 4 | Depression | Dry mouth | Just stared | M | 56 | 1 days 6 mg | 3/13/2016 | 4 | Atypical Depression/ Panic Disorder | Took 3.5 weeks to get any benefits at all. At that time, the panic attacks went into remission for a couple of days and then returned intermittently for a week until I contacted the doc. Upped the dose to 9mg patches at that point. At 9mg after 4 days I began to have a hypomanic onset of anger and hostility. Also had a marked increase in energy which I really liked. Have been having to mix the 6mg and 9mg patches back and forth every few days to keep out of depression/panic on the bottom end and out of hypomania on the top end. Note: I e-mailed a doc that assisted with the research of EMSAM, turns out that you CAN cut the patch safely and so I have started doing so. Jury is out on the exact amount I need, I am guessing 8mg. | I had almost given up at 3 weeks, but am happy now I didnt. The one thing it has not helped with at any dose has been the generalized anxiety but that is usually a GABA related issue and I wouldnt expect EMSAM to help that. Also, lost weight and began a great workout routine due to the stimulant effects at a higher dose. Started it 12/23/2006 and am still using it today. Overall it is the second best med I have used through the years (I have been on 27 different ones in 15 years) with Celexa being the best but lost its punch after about 3 years. | M | 34 | 9 months | 9/19/2007 | 4 | depression | Lexapro and Wellbutrin alone were not quite enough. I was still findng it hard to get up and face work. I gained weight on Abilify. Emsam worked after a short time and got me feeling much better and able to face some actual crises that arose. The only complaint about Emsam is that I have recently experienced insomnia, which we are watching. | M | 58 | 120 days 6 1X day | 9/17/2010 | 3 | for mdd | insomnia is beginning to make it impossible to continue at this dosage. I don't think 6 mg will do it: but I'll try. I can't use trazadone because it causes seizures, I take 8 mg Klonopin. and 100 mg of Atarax.. Parnate didn't give me same problem. at 50 mg; just not as effective, The washout period will be hell. | M | 51 | 9mg 1X day | 5/26/2016 | 2 | Atypical Depression/EDS | No real side effects. No problems with patch sticking, even in the shower, or while sweating while doing yard work. No issues with alergic reaction to patch site. | Let me first start by saying, if you're willing to try Emsam, be aware of the price. Most insurance companies will still leave you paying close to $600 a month. The 6,9,12mg patch all cost the same. If your doctor wants you on the 6mgs patch, have him write the script for 12mgs and just cut the patch in half. You will save money and have a two month supply. This patch did nothing for me, except suppress my sugar/carb cravings that come with Atypical Depression. I was really hoping for relief in my excessive daytime sleepiness/fatigue but it didn't help that at all. I had no issues with following the diet, though I must admit I had some parmesan cheese and tried 1 tab beer and had no problems. Caffeine did seem to increase my heart rate a bit, but nothing over 110bpm. If you're going to try a MAOI, start with Parnate or Nardil. They are the gold standard, cost MUCH less, but you MUST follow the diet restriction on them to a T! | M | 31 | 2 months 6/9 1X day | 8/27/2013 | 2 | DEPRESSION | NONE | Felt a buzz the morning of the 2nd day, but do not believe its doing much now. I am at 6/24. | M | 54 | 19 days | 9/27/2007 | 1 | bi-polar disorder | back outs, due to sudden drops in bp | I finally found a Dr. who nailed my black outs right away. since being off the drug, I have never even had a dizzy spell | M | 65 | 2 years 12 mg 1X day | 6/12/2013 | 1 | Depression | The discomfort of the adhesive and the remnants of the patch stay for days or more. | It simply didn't work for me. There was some early relief, but it peaked so quickly and tailed off to nothing in a few months. My doctor kept telling me to wait, but there was no real help after eight full months. | M | 46 | 8 months | 9/3/2007 | 1 | Atypical Depression | Daily site-specific skin reaction to 6mg patch. Increased to 9mg for depression symptoms. Severe skin reaction under patch turned to severe auto-immune response (body-wide hives, welts, severe itching)within 4 days. Immediately stopped using Emsam, but required 2 weeks steroids to subdue hives. | Also experienced insomnia on Emsam...any possible therapeutic effects got lost in side effects. Will try oral selignine next. If that doesn't work, next step is monastery in Nepal. | M | 57 | 3 months | 9/21/2008 |
EMSAM (SELEGILINE): Selegiline is an antidepressant (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) that treats depression by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain. Selegiline can improve your mood and feelings of well-being. This medication is a patch for use on the skin. FDA Approval Date: 2006-02-27 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)