What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Buspirone and selegiline
Selegiline's FDA label (Emsam) of May 15, 2020 names buspirone in its drug interactions section; buspirone's label does not name selegiline itself but warns about its class (MAO inhibitors). The selegiline label: “Blood Pressure Elevation Related to Concomitant Medication: monitor blood pressure if EMSAM is used with any of the following drugs: buspirone, amphetamines, or cold products or weight-reducing preparations that contain …”
Check it at the source: the buspirone FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 22, 2023, Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc.); the selegiline FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 7, 2024, Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc.).
What does the buspirone label say about selegiline?
Buspirone's label does not name selegiline itself; it warns about its class (MAO inhibitors):
Buspirone label, contraindicationsThe use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) intended to treat depression with buspirone or within 14 days of stopping treatment with buspirone is contraindicated because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome and/or elevated blood pressure.
Buspirone label, contraindicationsStarting buspirone in a patient who is being treated with reversible MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue is also contraindicated because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome (see WARNINGS , DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and DRUG INTERACTIONS ).
Source: FDA drug label (Buspirone Hydrochloride), Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc., effective December 22, 2023 (SPL set a6bdf140-075e-445e-a62d-633a4b97f3a8), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the selegiline label say about buspirone?
Emsam label (Viatris Specialty LLC, May 15, 2020), drug interactionsAmines and Buspirone The use of EMSAM with sympathomimetic amines or buspirone may produce substantial elevations in blood pressure.
Emsam label (Viatris Specialty LLC, May 15, 2020), warnings and precautionsBlood Pressure Elevation Related to Concomitant Medication: monitor blood pressure if EMSAM is used with any of the following drugs: buspirone, amphetamines, or cold products or weight-reducing preparations that contain sympathomimetic amines (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, and ephedrine).
Source: FDA drug label (Emsam, NDA021336), Viatris Specialty LLC, effective May 15, 2020 (SPL set b891bd9f-fdb8-4862-89c5-ecdd700398a3), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Selegiline Hydrochloride), Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc., effective August 7, 2024 (SPL set 23c4481f-d150-40c6-addb-b3e454ca914f), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Buspirone | Selegiline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Anxiety | Parkinson's disease, Depression |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.043 per tablet 15 mg tablet | $0.756 per capsule 5 mg capsule |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once