Uses
What is rasagiline used for?
Rasagiline is commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease, a condition that affects the part of your brain that controls your movements.
Rasagiline may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does rasagiline work (mechanism of action)?
Rasagiline belongs to a group of medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI). It is believed to increase the amount of a natural chemical called dopamine in the brain, which helps alleviate the movement-related symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
How is rasagiline supplied (dosage forms)?
Rasagiline is available as Azilect and generic rasagiline in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 0.5 mg oral tablets
- 1 mg oral tablets
How should I store rasagiline?
Rasagiline should be stored at room temperature (77 F or 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of rasagiline?
The most common side effects of rasagiline are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Flu-like symptoms (such as fever, chills, or headache)
- Joint pain
- Depression
- Upset stomach or indigestion
There may be other side effects of rasagiline that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of rasagiline?
While less common, the most serious side effects of rasagiline are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Rasagiline may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking rasagiline and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Rasagiline may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.
If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away. Increases in blood pressure may not be noticeable but look out for any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.
- Sudden severe headache
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or confusion
- Trouble breathing
- Nausea/vomiting
- Blurry or other changes to vision
- Anxiety
- Buzzing in the ears
- Nosebleed
- Feeling of skipped heartbeats
Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is when there is too much of a substance called serotonin in your body. Rasagiline can cause serotonin syndrome when it is taken alone or with other medicines that affect serotonin. This condition can be life-threatening. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome.
- Sweating, fever, or flushing
- Confusion
- Feeling agitated or restless
- Seeing or hearing unusual things
- Dizziness
- Fast or racing heartbeat
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Muscle twitching, stiffness, or tremor
- Seizures
Sleepiness. Rasagiline can make you sleepy, sometimes very suddenly and without warning signs. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how rasagiline affects you.
Low Blood Pressure Upon Standing (Orthostatic Hypotension). Rasagiline may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up from a seated or lying position. To help prevent this, be careful not to get up too quickly. If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down right away until the dizziness stops, then take your time getting up again. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of orthostatic hypotension.
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting upon standing
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Feeling weak
Uncontrollable, Involuntary Movements (Dyskinesia). Taking rasagiline with levodopa, another medicine used to treat Parkinson’s disease, may rarely cause involuntary movement problems, including shakiness, stiffness, or jerkiness. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any unusual or uncontrolled movements.
Hallucinations or Psychotic-like Behaviors. Rasagiline may cause hallucinations or psychotic-like behaviors. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following (either you have noticed on your own or you have been told by others).
- Hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or otherwise perceiving things that have turned out to be false
- Delusional thoughts, such as false belief that you are being controlled
- Disorganized thoughts, such as jumping between topics or having a hard time focusing
- Sudden decline in self-care, such as personal hygiene or academic/work performances
Unusual or Compulsive Behaviors. Rasagiline can cause some people to have strong unusual and uncontrolled urges (compulsions), including gambling, sex, shopping, or eating. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you or someone you know notices that you have new or worsening strong urges or behaviors.
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use rasagiline?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take rasagiline.
- Rasagiline
- Azilect
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific rasagiline products they stock.
Drug Interactions. Rasagiline should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking rasagiline, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Liver Problems. Rasagiline should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine.
What should I know about rasagiline before using it?
Do not take rasagiline unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share rasagiline with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep rasagiline out of the reach of children.
Do not stop taking rasagiline without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping too quickly may cause serious side effects. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- High fever
- Muscle stiffness or rigidity, to the point it is hard to move
- Changes in your breathing or heart rate
- Increased sweating
- Confusion
Rasagiline may cause you to feel sleepy, especially if you already have conditions that can make you drowsy. You may feel sudden drowsiness in the middle of an activity without warning signs. Rasagiline may also cause dizziness, especially when you stand up quickly after lying or sitting down. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how rasagiline affects you.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using rasagiline?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if rasagiline is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Psychotic Disorder. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia or delusional disorder. Rasagiline may increase the risk of psychosis.
Sleepiness. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any conditions that make you more sleepy than usual or if you feel that you are prone to feeling drowsy during the day. Rasagiline may increase the risk of sudden daytime drowsiness.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- High or low blood pressure
- Uncontrollable, involuntary movements (dyskinesia)
- Unusual urges
- Liver problems
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how rasagiline could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if rasagiline passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take rasagiline while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does rasagiline interact with foods or drinks?
Rasagiline can increase your body’s sensitivity to tyramine, a natural compound found in large amounts in foods such as aged cheese, cured or processed meat, pickled or fermented vegetables, citrus and tropical fruits, and fermented alcoholic beverages such as beer or red wine. Avoid eating foods high in tyramine while taking rasagiline as this may increase the risk of large increases in your blood pressure.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect rasagiline. The risk of drowsiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking rasagiline. Certain alcoholic beverages, such as beer or red wine, should be avoided due to their high tyramine contents.
Does rasagiline interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking rasagiline.
- An opioid, such as meperidine, methadone, or tramadol within the past 2 weeks, which is a medicine used for certain types of pain
- St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
- Cyclobenzaprine, which is a muscle relaxant
- Dextromethorphan, which is a cough suppressant contained in many prescription and OTC products for cold and flu symptoms
- Another monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 2 weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
- A decongestant that you spray in your nose or take by mouth, such as pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, and oxymetazoline, which is used to treat nasal congestion caused by a cold or allergies
- A decongestant that you apply to your eyes, such as naphazoline and tetrahydrozoline, which is used to treat redness of the eye
- An eye drop used to treat glaucoma or increased eye pressure, such as brimonidine or apraclonidine
- Methylphenidate, atomoxetine, or amphetamine, which is a medicine commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) within the past 2 weeks, which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
- A tricyclic antidepressant within the past 2 weeks, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression
- Ciprofloxacin, which is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections
- An antipsychotic, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
- Metoclopramide (Reglan and others), which is a medicine for acid reflux or a problem where your stomach takes too long to empty
Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of rasagiline. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with rasagiline. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much rasagiline?
If you or someone else has used too much rasagiline, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of rasagiline?
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Are you currently using Rasagiline (Azilect)?
This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department.