Which discharge instruction is appropriate after starting selegiline?

• A. Store at room temperature away from light.
• B. Continue medication if you have a mild headache.
• C. Notify your healthcare provider if you have a severe headache.
• D. Avoid all caffeine.

Answer: (C)

Starting selegiline, an MAOI, means you’re looking out for signs of potentially dangerous reactions that involve blood pressure and interactions with other substances. A severe headache after starting the medication can signal a hypertensive crisis, which needs urgent medical evaluation. That’s why telling a healthcare provider about a severe headache is the best discharge instruction—it prompts a check of blood pressure and review of any foods or medicines that could interact with the MAOI. Mild headaches may occur but aren’t necessarily dangerous, so they don’t automatically require stopping and aren’t the strongest safety signal. And while some instructions about storage or caffeine are part of general guidance, they don’t address the most immediate safety concern after initiating selegiline.