Is selegiline considered an addictive substance like other ADHD medications?

No, selegiline is not classified as an addictive substance. Unlike traditional stimulants such as methylphenidate or methamphetamine, it is considered a gentle pharmacological option for long-term use without the risk of dependence.

What are the primary pharmacological differences between selegiline and atomoxetine for ADHD?

While atomoxetine primarily increases noradrenaline activity by inhibiting its reuptake, it lacks significant direct action on dopamine receptors. Selegiline, conversely, effectively increases dopamine receptor activity through MAO-B inhibition, which is often more effective for patients where low dopamine activity is the primary driver of ADHD.

Treatment of ADHD with selegiline. Detailed pharmacological options for the treatment of ADHD

Q: How does selegiline effectively treat ADHD symptoms?

Selegiline acts as a selective MAO-B inhibitor at lower doses, which prevents the breakdown of dopamine in the brain. By increasing the activity of dopamine receptors and slightly increasing adrenaline receptor activity, it addresses the underlying neurochemical imbalances responsible for ADHD symptoms.

This article contains excerpts from a conversation with a psychiatric patient over 18 years of age, suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, hyperkinetic disorder.

Methamphetamine (=pervitin) is officially indicated for ADHD in the USA by the American FDA in the pharmacological form of the drug. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methamphetamine#Uses

Perhaps they could prescribe you CONCERTA (=methylphenidate). Officially, treatment must start at an age of less than 18 years and can then continue at an older age. You would also be satisfied with this, but it is only up to the age of 18 – doctors are forbidden to prescribe it to older people. And it is also an addictive substance.

This drug is ideal for ADHD because it selectively acts on what is needed: it increases the activity of dopamine and noradrenaline receptors http://www.sukl.sk/buxus/generate_page.php?page_id=386&lie_id=49926

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylphenidate#Pharmacology

This increases the activity of the noradrenaline receptor. The package leaflet states that it is for ADHD. But it will not be as good as the drug mentioned above. It's a pity that it does not also act on dopamine receptors, because low activity of dopamine receptors is responsible for ADHD https://www.adc.sk/databazy/produkty/detail/atomoxetine-actavis-10-mg-517380.html

Tianeptine, although it is a bit controversial, should slightly increase the activity of the dopamine receptor, so it has a positive effect on ADHD https://www.adc.sk/databazy/produkty/pil/tianeptin-sandoz-12-5-mg-filmom-obalene-tablety-308557.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianeptine#Mechanism_of_action

Yes, your experience is consistent with scientific findings. I've looked at scientific research on the active ingredient in nutmeg, and its effect is the same as that of MAOI (IMAO) drugs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutmeg#Psychoactivity_and_toxicity

MAO-A and act on serotonin and noradrenaline receptors – increasing their activity, while MAO-B increases activity mainly on dopamine receptors.

The main effect of methamphetamine is to increase the activity of dopamine receptors. MAO-B inhibitors are mainly used for Parkinson's patients. Almost all drugs for Parkinson's patients are based on increasing the activity of dopamine receptors. MAO-A inhibitors would only help you by increasing the activity of noradrenaline receptors.

Selegiline has no serious side effects. This is not a drug that has significant side effects, no diet is needed, it is a different type of MAOI.

….There would be no problem for them to prescribe you MAO B selegiline.

… There is also scientific research that proves that this drug is excellent for ADHD. It very effectively increases the activity of dopamine receptors, and slightly increases the activity of adrenaline receptors in the brain. And in the long term, it is a very gentle drug.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selegiline#Pharmacology

The conclusion of the scientific research proves that selegiline is suitable for the treatment of ADHD https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12921918

The advantage of selegiline is that it is not an addictive substance.

Selegiline on the SUKL website

http://www.sukl.sk/sk/databazy-a-servis/databazy/vyhladavanie-v-databaze-registrovanych-liekov?page_id=242&lie_nazov=&lie_kod=&atc_kod=&lie_rc=&atc_nazov=selegil%C3%ADn&isk_kod=0&drz_kod=&vyd_kod=0&org_kod=0®_typ_kod=0&in_kat=LEFT&ped_ind=ALL&ped_kontraind=ALL

https://www.adc.sk/databazy/produkty/klasifikacia/HLN04BD01/selegilin.html

https://www.adc.sk/databazy/produkty/detail/selegil-5mg-365949.html

Yes, but do you think selegiline will help me? It's up to you what you advise him, but I always thought that the usual ones, like modafinil.

Thanks for the reminder. Yes, modafinil would also be good, it increases the activity of the dopamine receptor. Its disadvantage is that one tablet has 100 mg of the active substance.

Selegiline is a more potent active substance: one tablet has 5 mg, so it is a little gentler on the liver. If you had any serious side effects with selegiline, then modafinil would also be good. Both drugs are good.