Before undergoing any anaesthetic your anaesthetist must be made aware of
all the medications you are taking as some, including selegiline, are thought to interact with
the anaesthetic drugs. The anaesthetist should also be advised of any other
medical condition, such as high blood pressure, so they can take appropriate
precautions.
When undergoing an anaesthetic you may be subject to a ‘nil by mouth’ regime
prior to surgery which can affect taking medication. You should discuss this
with your own doctor before you go into hospital as in some cases an
alternative can be used. Apomorphine, a dopamine agonist that is
injected, can sometimes be appropriate but your doctor will most likely wish to
trial this well in advance and, if suitable, you will need take this into
hospital with you. An anti-sickness medication may also be taken in conjunction
with apomorphine – again you will need to discuss this with your doctor.
