Pronunciation: ra-SA-ji-leen
Generic Name: Rasagiline
Brand Name: Azilect
Rasagiline is used for:
Treating symptoms of Parkinson disease. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Rasagiline is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Exactly how it works is not known. It may help to increase a substance in the brain that affects motor function.
Do NOT use Rasagiline if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Rasagiline
- you have moderate to severe liver problems
- you are taking fluoxetine or have taken it within the past 5 weeks
- you are taking bupropion, linezolid, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (eg, atomoxetine), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) (eg, paroxetine), a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) (eg, venlafaxine, duloxetine), selegiline or another MAOI (eg, phenelzine), St. John's wort, trazodone, or vilazodone or if you have taken any of these medicines within the past 14 days
- you are taking cyclobenzaprine, dextromethorphan, meperidine, methadone, propoxyphene, sibutramine, tetrabenazine, a tetracyclic antidepressant (eg, mirtazapine), tramadol, or a tricyclic antidepressant (eg, amitriptyline)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Rasagiline:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of skin cancer or uncontrolled muscle movements (eg, twitching of the face and tongue and involuntary movements of the arms and legs)
- if you have a history of liver problems, kidney problems, or high or low blood pressure
- if you have certain adrenal gland problems (pheochromocytoma) or a history of mental or mood problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Rasagiline. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Anorexiants (eg, amphetamine), bupropion, buspirone, cyclobenzaprine, dextromethorphan, linezolid, other MAOIs (eg, phenelzine, selegiline), meperidine , methadone, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (eg, atomoxetine), propoxyphene, sibutramine, SNRIs (eg, venlafaxine, duloxetine), SSRIs (eg, fluoxetine, paroxetine), St. John's wort, sympathomimetics (eg, amphetamines, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, ephedrine), tetracyclic antidepressants (eg, mirtazapine), tramadol, trazodone, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because serious effects, including severe high blood pressure or a condition called serotonin syndrome may occur
- Levodopa because the risk of uncontrolled muscle movements, hallucinations, or light-headedness when you sit up or stand may be increased
- Tetrabenazine because severe side effects, including confusion, restlessness, or behavior changes, may occur
- Ciprofloxacin because it may increase the risk of Rasagiline's side effects
- Dexmethylphenidate or methylphenidate because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Rasagiline
Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Rasagiline:
Use Rasagiline as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Rasagiline by mouth with or without food.
- Do not suddenly stop taking Rasagiline without checking with your doctor. You may experience side effects such as fever or confusion.
- If you miss a dose of Rasagiline, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Rasagiline.
Important safety information:
- Rasagiline may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Rasagiline with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol while you are taking Rasagiline.
- Rasagiline may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Eating certain foods that contain very high amounts of tyramine (eg, aged cheeses) while you take Rasagiline may cause severe high blood pressure. Other foods that contain tyramine (eg, red wines, beer, certain meats and sausages, liver, sour cream, soy sauce, raisins, bananas, avocados) are NOT likely to cause such a reaction with recommended doses of Rasagiline. However, seek medical attention at once if symptoms of severe high blood pressure occur. These may include severe headache, fast or irregular heartbeat, sore or stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sweating, enlarged pupils, or sensitivity to light.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose of Rasagiline without checking with your doctor. Taking more than the recommended dose may increase your risk of severe high blood pressure if you eat foods high in tyramine. Discuss any questions with your doctor.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Rasagiline before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Some people have experienced new, unusual, or increased urges (eg, gambling, sexual urges) while using Rasagiline. Tell your doctor right away if you notice such effects.
- If your doctor tells you to stop taking Rasagiline, you will need to wait at least 14 days before beginning to take certain other medicines (eg, medicines for depression, anxiety, pain, cough, congestion, weight loss, Parkinson disease; muscle relaxants). Ask your doctor if you are unsure when you should start to take your new medicines after you have stopped taking Rasagiline.
- Rasagiline may increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Ask your doctor if you should have skin examinations while you are taking Rasagiline. Contact your doctor if you notice any skin changes (eg, change in color or thickness).
- Lab tests, including skin examinations, may be performed while you use Rasagiline. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Rasagiline should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Rasagiline while you are pregnant. It is not known if Rasagiline is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you take Rasagiline, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Rasagiline:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation, diarrhea; drowsiness; dry mouth; flu-like symptoms; headache; joint pain; loss of appetite, mild stomach pain; stomach upset; stuffy nose; weight loss.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black or bloody stools; blood in the urine; blurred vision or other vision changes; burning, numbness, or tingling; changes in sexual ability or desire; chest pain; confusion; decreased coordination; enlarged pupils; eye pain or inflammation; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; inability to sit still; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation, depression, paranoia); one-sided weakness; seizures; sensitivity to light; severe or persistent headache, dizziness, or light-headedness; severe or persistent stomach pain or diarrhea; shortness of breath; skin changes; sore or stiff neck; speech problems; stiff muscles; tremor; trouble thinking or walking; unexplained nausea or vomiting; unusual sweating.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Rasagiline side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include agitation; coma; cool, clammy skin; difficulty breathing; excessive sweating; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; hyperactivity; irritability; seizures; severe dizziness, drowsiness, or headache.
Proper storage of Rasagiline:
Store Rasagiline at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Rasagiline out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Rasagiline, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Rasagiline is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Rasagiline. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Rasagiline resources
- Rasagiline Side Effects (in more detail)
- Rasagiline Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Rasagiline Drug Interactions
- Rasagiline Support Group
- 5 Reviews for Rasagiline - Add your own review/rating
- Rasagiline Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- rasagiline Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Azilect Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Azilect Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Azilect Consumer Overview
Compare Rasagiline with other medications
- Parkinson's Disease
