This section provides a summary of the drug information for MAO-B inhibitors. It is still important that you read the full package leaflet that accompanies the product carefully before you start to take any medication. If you have any further questions
about your Pd medication,
or other aspects of your Pd treatment, you should discuss these with your doctor or other healthcare professional.
Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors act specifically in the brain and have no peripheral therapeutic effects. They inhibit the metabolism of dopamine, by blocking the enzyme MAO-B (the enzyme that normally breaks down dopamine). This activity of MAO-B inhibitors prolongs the potential action of dopamine by increasing the level of natural dopamine (derived from natural levodopa) when used as a treatment in monotherapy or increases the level of levodopa-derived dopamine (from the addition of levodopa as medication) within the brain, resulting in a reduction of PD symptoms.
Two are available to treat Parkinson’s – selegiline and rasagiline. These may be prescribed on their own in early Parkinson’s (monotherapy) or in combination with levodopa (adjunct therapy).
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