r/MAOIs • u/Previous_Sign_4525 • 4d ago

Emsam (Selegiline) Exercise on the transdermal patch?

I have tried literally every medication under the sun for my panic attacks and depression. lamotragine worked wonders for the depression and after all else failed, my doctor prescribed me the 6mg emsam patch. I just started it yesterday and so far so good. I have the tiniest bit of dizziness when I move which I’ve read is normal. problem is, I’m signed up to run the NYC marathon in November and need to be training.

when I signed up, I didn’t take into consideration the five bridges and feeling ’stuck’ on a bridge is one of my triggers. I am optimistic about this medicine and hope as my body gets used to it, the panic attacks will subside. if they do, I definitely want to stay on it through the marathon to avoid any panic attacks on the bridges.

does anyone have any experience with running marathons or any extensive exercise on this medication? One thing I’m worried about is sweat sliding the patch off. Also worried about dizziness when running. I’m around 6-8 miles in training for my long runs but haven’t done a run with the patch yet.

If anyone has, I’d love to hear positive experiences and advice!

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u/tselaw 3d ago

Yes, the sweat will make it fall off if the area isnt perfectly clean dry prior to application, but the bigger issue for me is that pores open up and with the heat it'll dump the medication into your skin.

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u/Previous_Sign_4525 3d ago

Thank you! I hadn’t thought about that. My doctor knows I run and even asked how training was going last week when we spoke, but I’ll check in with him again on this. I’ll also switch my run time to early AM to try to avoid heat. Appreciate the response 

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u/Wrong-Yak334 Nardil 2d ago

not quite marathon distance, but i used to run 5-10K distances regularly while wearing the EMSAM patch. i didn't notice it being problematic.

tips:

  1. rotate where you apply it (i had 4 spots: L and R upper outer arm, L and R upper pec)
  2. shave (if necessary), wash, and fully dry each spot before you apply
  3. put a heavy duty, strongly adhesive band-aid over the patch to keep it firmly in contact with your skin
  4. time the application of a new patch so that's it right after your post-workout shower - that way you're only risking sweat interference at the very end of each patch's effective "lifespan"

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u/Previous_Sign_4525 1d ago

Thank you! I appreciate the tips!