Role of selegiline as initial monotherapy in early Parkinson's disease.

Twenty patients of Idiopathic Prakinson's disease in the early phase were enrolled to study the efficacy and safety of selegiline as monotherapy. The mean duration of time before levodopa had to be initiated was 9.75 months. The UPDRS scores for activities of daily living, motor examination, tremor and total score showed significant improvement initially with subsequent worsening. Selegiline was well tolerated and there were no serious side-effects. In conclusion, selegiline may have a short lasting symptomatic effect in IPD and is well tolerated.