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Article: FDA approves skin patch to treat major depression.(Brief article)
- Article from:
- The Journal of Employee Assistance
- Article date:
- May 1, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Employee Assistance Professionals. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a once-a-day skin patch to treat major depression, after two 6-8 week studies and a longer-term review showed that the only common side effect was a mild skin reaction where the patch was placed.
The patch consists of three layers: a backing, an adhesive drug layer, and a release liner that faces the skin. It works by releasing selegiline, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), through the skin and into the bloodstream.
MAOI inhibitors usually require specific dietary restrictions because, when combined with certain foods, they can cause a large, sudden increase in blood pressure known as a "hypertensive ...