Selegiline is from a group of drugs called monoamine oxidase type B inhibitors (MAOBIs) used to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. But uncertainty about selegiline arose in 1995, when one trial linked it to high death rates. Since then, its use in the United Kingdom has dropped substantially.
Now a team of researchers say that this was probably a chance finding and that selegiline could be one of the most effective and cost effective treatments available for early Parkinson's disease.
They analysed 17 trials comparing MAOBIs with placebo or a drug called levodopa and found that MAOBIs reduced disability, the need for levodopa, and problems with movement, without substantial side effects or increased risk of death.
This study provides the most reliable available summary of the current evidence from clinical trials of MAOBIs, say the authors. However, they suggest that further large, long term trials comparing selegiline with other available drugs, and assessing patient rated quality of life measures, are needed.