Emsam for Depression User Reviews

• gkm
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 20, 2013

"I have tried what seems like every medicine for my depression and have only experienced temporary minor relief of symptoms. My psychiatrist wanted to try ECT because nothing else was working, and I was tired of being in the hospital, but I refused. She then mentioned that MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) can sometimes be helpful for those who don't respond to other medicines, so I agreed to try it. It has been a miracle worker for me! I have been on it for about 10 months, and I have not had any severe depressive episodes and find myself going through the day without all of the terrible thoughts and cravings that used to haunt me. I went from extremely suicidal to functioning normally. I didn't even know I could feel this way!"

• Carrw
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 4, 2015

"86 years old, depressed for 3 years. Tried all medicines, nothing worked. Tried electroshock therapy, but nothing helped. Started on Emsam patch 6mg, no improvement. Increased to 9mg and back to normal in TWO days! Experienced shakiness at 12mg but have been great for 1-2 years. Enjoy a bottle of white wine at dinner occasionally, have frequent sex, indulge in small amounts of forbidden fruit, take hot showers with the patch on, if itchy scratch the patch, sleep like a baby with no side effects. Would not go back to the suicidal state I once was in."

• Jpano
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 16, 2020

"Started 25 years ago on Prozac and Paxil. Didn’t work. Tried nardil and felt incredible. Over a 5 year period it seemed to diminish and did not work anymore when they changed the coating on it. Over the next 15 years went through many trials and nothing helped. Started Emsan 9mg a year ago and it has helped. I feel 80%. which is acceptable. I can’t think of any side effects. Cost through ins was $80 but the tech at CVS found a coupon and it is only $20/month. Over the past 6 months have read as many books on anxiety/depression that I could and that has helped even more. I pick up tips that help me with anxiety/depression. Never stop trying!!!!"

• Dan
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2019

"Currently on Emsam 6mg (selegiline) Such an amazing medication. Feel like myself, tons of energy, very social, and confident. Been on almost every SSRI and loads of other psych meds that have never worked. The lowest dose of 6mg allows me to eat whatever I want (that I'm not supposed to) not worry about having a hypertensive crisis. I take 200 mg of 5HTP (the direct precursor to serotonin) a day, too. Never had any adverse reactions. Feel great and love life!"

• Anony...
• June 13, 2011

"Where has this medication been hiding? I've suffered from depression for 18 years, having to change medicines every couple of years and usually never feeling too good...just pulling myself through every day. I've been on Zoloft, Effexor, Prozac, Cymbalta with a low dose of Abilify and Wellbutrin. Finally, a month ago, a new doctor suggested the EMSAM patch. I feel like the darkness has been lifted. I have energy, can concentrate, and actually look forward to doing or planning things. Even the Adderall I had once taken to help increase my energy level didn't do what this patch is doing. EMSAM has changed not only my life, but my family's as well."

• Aunti...
• March 25, 2013

"I have been on many pills over and over trying to get my depression/bipolar under control. I would find something, but then it would only work for a couple of months, then back to square one. Ever since I was put on the Emsam patch, I have loved it. I feel more alive and want to get out and do things. I feel better about myself, I do my hair, makeup, and feel like I am part of society again. I have energy and the food restriction hasn't been that big of an issue; it has been a healthy change for me. Yes, it is expensive and can have high copays, but worth it. I was paying more for all the doctor copays and medicine copays than I am now for the Emsam patch. I would recommend it to everyone!"

• ultimus...
• September 13, 2012

"I lived in a world of gray with a circle of awareness as little as two feet. I was the quintessential invisible man. I tried all the antidepressants for over 50 years. Everything was totally useless and with horrible side effects to the extent that one wonders why anyone would prescribe it. The first thing that actually worked was Nardil, which opened me to a world of light and color that I didn't know existed, but it had its problems and became ineffective after a time. 6 years ago, my doctor finally gave up and gave me this. She started me on the low-dose patch, which didn't seem to do much, but the fog did lift. I seem to have few if any side effects. Emsam is worth trying."

• Rotiart
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2013

"I have been dealing with Bipolar II for most of my life without realizing it was anything more than depression with some bouts of super focus and productivity. After being diagnosed and trying a few different treatments that had worse side effects than the depression, we tried Emsam at the 6mg dose. Almost overnight, I noticed a massive improvement. While I tend to go into hypomanic states more often with this, it is controllable, and I am more than happy to have this as the major side effect. I have been taking it for almost 2 months at the moment and hope that it keeps rocking!"

• mygro...
• September 20, 2011

"I started Emsam when hospitalized. My doctor noticed the positive effects before I did. She noticed I was thinking more clearly and more active. After 2 weeks, I began to notice my mental clarity. After 1 month, I cleaned my house in 1 day and began to shower, dress, apply makeup, and do my hair every day. I did not have to think about what needed to be done; I JUST DID IT. This was the first time in my life I can ever remember just being ME. After 6 months, I became allergic to the adhesive, so I can no longer use Emsam. What I wouldn't give to once again KNOW WHO I AM. But I am lost in depression and pain. I would gladly live with the restriction of Emsam because I WOULD BE LIVING."

• vietnam
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 8, 2012

"For depression, this is the very best for me. I still eat the foods that you can't with a pill form of a MAO Inhibitor. I have to avoid other stimulants, over-the-counter meds. I take different meds for my anxiety. The Emsam patch has stopped my depressive episodes that started in Vietnam in 1970."

• LKW
• January 30, 2012

"I tried EVERYTHING to get over what was first diagnosed as depression (30 years ago). About 12 years ago I started seeing a psychiatrist who thought I might be bipolar, type 2 (mostly depressive, no full-blown manic state) and started me on Emsam. It took some time-can't really remember but maybe a month but it works. Yes, there are side effects-insomnia being the worst but that dissipated in a few months. We all know that what works for one person may not for another but this is not an SSRI which can't 'touch' depression associated with bipolar. And you don't have to be bipolar for it to work. I know it's frustrating but give it a shot-maybe you'll be like me and never have to try another medicine again!"

• FosterM
• December 20, 2017

"Have taken 8 different SSRI medications. All were beneficial and provided relief. But all also fizzled out after a period of time. Have been through 2 full treatments of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Great relief but for only a 3 month period. Have had 8 treatments of ECT with no benefit. The 12 mg Emsam patch has been a literal life saver for me. The side effects are a piece of cake as far as I’m concerned. One rare side effect that I experienced was that it lowered my blood pressure. I learned that having blood pressure levels normal is really debilitating. But this medicine has completely and totally lifted my depression...this is the best I’ve felt since my first continuous bout with depression in 1999!"

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2012

"Emsam is by far the best antidepressant I have come across in over 20 years of treatment in which I have been given everything under the sun. Welbutrin was ok but was weak, edgy and stops working after about 6 months. I have been on Emsam twice now for stints of about a year each. Unlike other antidepressants it doesn't have that plastic, fake agitaged feeling to it. Feels like natural emotions. It cuts my depression roughly in half. Still suicidal often, but not every moment of every day. I have a severe skin reaction to the adhessive that looks horrific but its worth it. Other than that and worsening insomnia it really doesn't have side effects. Well worth the rash. I have to stay at 6mg because the higher doses produce psychosis in me."

• gigan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2012

"This helps my depression more than anything I've tried. I'm using Emsam and the ease of use is excellent. I have fibromyalgia and this might also be helping my pain, fatigue, and libido since I've noticed improvement with all. At first I craved sweets but don't now. I have mild irritation at the patch site. I wake up at least once at night to urinate (where I didn't before) and I also want a snack at that time, too. Even with night eating, I think I'm losing weight on this medication. My one concern is that I am definitely losing my hair on this. I will see my psychiatrist next week for a one month follow up and if the hair loss is easily remedied, I'll stick with it. Expensive without insurance."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2008

"I have tried what feels like every medicine available for the past 10 years, and this is the first time that I feel like I enjoy life for long periods of time. Sure, with severe depression/anxiety, you will always have down days, but since taking this medicine, they have become less, and the depressed feeling doesn't last as long. I'm pretty upbeat now, and sometimes can be very chatty."

• Joe...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 11, 2020

"I've been using EMSAM transdermal patch since it was introduced in 2006. My final dose is 9mg/24 hours. I started on 6mg/24 hours Prior to EMSAM I was on many different antidepressants. Since being on EMSAM I feel like a new person. My depression is completely gone. I feel normal. I highly recommend EMSAM. Regarding potential food interactions: In the 14 years I've been using EMSAM I've had one food interaction. I ate sauerkraut once about ten years ago and felt dizzy. By resting and drinking a lot of water the interaction went away. Follow your Doctor's instructions."

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2011

"I've been taking selegiline (Emsam) for depression for three years after 40 of pretty much everything else. This has been the most effective treatment I've had, lasting the longest with the best results. Side effects have been limited to skin irritation from the patch. The dietary restrictions aren't proving to be too restrictive. On a couple of occasions, I've had food with tyramine by accident. A bad headache for a few hours was the only result. (I didn't realize that I'd had the tyramine until after the headache had come and gone.) The price and need for prior authorization are my only real complaints."

• Caryn...
• December 4, 2011

"EMSAM greatly helped the depression and anxiety. I had energy and a life again. But I had insomnia very hard to treat. I tried Ambien, Lunesta, Seroquel, Ativan and Trazodone but nothing helped. My Psychiatrist suggested Chloral Hydrate. "

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2009

"I've been on this medication for several years now. During winter months we up my dose and in spring reduce it. After about 12 years of trying SSRI's and not having a lot of success we tried this drug. It has been the best medication for my depression. There are a number of precautions that you must remember to take. #1 Challenge each doctor to check and see if a new medication will react badly to the Emsam, a lot of the medications have interaction with Emsam. Also you must give up aged things, like Pepperoni, Salomi, Beer, Wine, and Worchester and Soy sauces. I learned the hard way about the last 2. Most important thing is challenge all new medications and MAKE the doctor look them up. "

• sandu...
• February 9, 2008

"Emsam had helped me with my depression however I has several issues when taking this medication. 1.Fatigue 2.Leg cramps 3.Stiffness of joints. 4.Mood swings 5.Irritability. I noticed a draumatic decrease in these symptoms after I had stopped using the Emsam patch. Believe me, I wanted this to work so bad. I have tried several other medications with various side effects and was hoping for miracle."

• Sunny...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 29, 2021

"Excellent medication for Treatment-Resistant, Severe, Recurrent Atypical Depression. Expensive ($2000/mo retail), but I'm on disability for lifelong depression (since age 19 - I'm 54 now) so it costs $4. Got rid of my severe, lifelong depression; made me social again - kind of like a bright light switch being turned on in a dark, forgotten room. Girlfriend says it's like 'night and day.' Side effects: insomnia treated with low-dose quetiapine (Seroquel 100-175 mg); adhesive site-reaction (itchy rash) prevented by using dry skin lotion to massage into area between patch and skin as it is slowly peeled off. Started at 6 mg/24 hr patch and increased to 9, then 12 mg/24 hr patch (maximum dose). Psychiatrists younger than about 60 tend to have little experience prescribing and managing MAO inhibitors, of which Emsam is one; even though MAOIs are the BEST ANTIDEPRESSANTS for treatment-resistant, severe, recurrent depression. Emsam (selegiline), Parnate, Nardil & Marplan are US FDA approved."

• Smirch
• April 24, 2019

"I don't need to go into detail here about how terrifying going through your first depressive episode is. I was prescribed 6 mg Emsam. I didn't notice an improvement for the first three weeks. When I was bumped up to 9 mg... I began to laugh again. I was able to FUNCTION again. I'm to a comparable state to where I was before my depressive episode, however with a few alterations in my personality. The negatives: insomnia - It is rare when I am able to sleep through the night. I often wake up in the middle of the night, and have a lot of difficulty falling back asleep. My psychiatrist recommended that I take off the patch before going to bed, but this put me in a really weird mood in the morning. The irritability - I notice that I get frustrated / angry much more easily now and I never felt like this before. This medication has been an absolute lifesaver for me."

• Anon
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2020

"Took this years ago for bipolar, I took it for several months and it caused severely agitated mania. Felt good at euphoric at first and quickly turned into extreme anger and impulsivity. Barely slept and when I did, the nightmares were violent and never-ending. Dr took me right off it."

• Noone...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2016

"I actually struggle with the possibility of bp ii. At 6 MG I didn't have any response positive or negative except that is repressed my appetite, with infrequent feelings of rage,which were controllable with benzos (ativan). At 9 mg I began to have extreme insomnia (probably because it metabolizes as l-amphetamine or an adderal-like substance). At this dosage the rage I would feel was too much to handle, and was very much similar to what I felt on wellbutrin. I would caution anyone, if you have rage on wellbutrin, you may (as others have anecdotally said) have feelings of rage on emsam as well. It's worth a try still, however, as when I wasn't feeling intense anger, at 9 mg I did feel better. best of luck."

• MelNc...
• November 16, 2009

"Have been using the 6MG patch for 4 weeks now with absolutely no results. No side effects. No skin irritation. Nothing. Doctor says I should be patient and wait till the 6 week point where it might finally kick in. If it doesn't we will go to the higher dosage. Probably just double it to the 12MG patch. Not looking forward to the dietary restrictions but it's a trade off I'm willing to take for relief from 30+ years of despair."