Transdermal selegiline in patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy.

Background: Concurrent use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) during a course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is controversial.

Objective: In this report, the authors present outcomes of this concurrent treatment approach.

Method: The authors present two cases of patients taking the newest MAOI approved for depression, namely, transdermal selegiline, while receiving ECT.

Results: The authors conclude that there is no evidence of complications or adverse events associated with concurrent use of ECT and low-dose transdermally administered selegiline.

Conclusion: The authors further conclude that beginning a low dose of transdermal selegiline before finishing a course of ECT is a viable option for relapse prevention in the treatment of depression.