• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is rasagiline?
Rasagiline is a monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitor. It works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Rasagiline is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Rasagiline is sometimes used with another drug called levodopa. Rasagiline may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of rasagiline?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using rasagiline and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• increased blood pressure (sudden and severe headache, confusion, blurred vision, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, seizure);

• sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), problems with speech or balance;

• unusual thoughts or behavior, confusion, extreme agitation;

• fever, sweating, muscle stiffness;

• feeling light-headed, fainting;

• blistering skin rash;

• twitching muscle movements; or

• hallucinations (seeing things that are not there).

Continue using rasagiline and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• joint pain;

• mild headache, dizziness, or depressed mood;

• hair loss;

• numbness or tingly feeling;

• dry mouth, loss of appetite;

• constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, vomiting, weight loss;

• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; or

• flu symptoms.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I take rasagiline?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Rasagiline is usually taken once daily. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication. Take this medication with a full glass of water. Rasagiline is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes a diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor.

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What is the most important information I should know about rasagiline?
Do not take rasagiline if you have liver disease or an adrenal gland tumor (also called pheochromocytoma). Do not take rasagiline within 14 days before having surgery. There are many other medicines that should not be taken together with rasagiline or serious medical problems could result. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, including vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect rasagiline?
Before taking rasagiline, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: ciprofloxacin (Cipro); theophylline (Theo-Dur, Respbid, Uniphyl); or antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Ascendin), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft). If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use rasagiline, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Rasagiline has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of embryolethality when rasagiline was used in high doses in combination with levodopa/carbidopa. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Rasagiline is only recommended for use during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk.

There are no data on the excretion of rasagiline into human milk. The manufacturer recommends that caution should be used when administering rasagiline to nursing women.

In rats rasagiline was shown to inhibit prolactin secretion and it may inhibit milk secretion in females.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Concomitant use with cyclobenzaprine, dextromethorphan, meperidine, mirtazapine, methadone, propoxyphene, tramadol, St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), sympathomimetic amines (e.g., amphetamines, ephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine [no longer commercially available in the US], pseudoephedrine), or other MAO inhibitors. (See Interactions.)
• Elective surgery that requires general anesthetics, cocaine, or local anesthetics containing sympathomimetic vasoconstrictors. Discontinue rasagiline ≥14 days prior to elective surgery; if surgery is needed sooner, may use benzodiazepines, mivacurium, rapacuronium, fentanyl, morphine, or codeine with caution.
• Pheochromocytoma.

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What does my medication look like?
Rasagiline is available with a prescription under the brand name Azilect. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you. Azilect 0.5 mg--white round tablet Azilect 1 mg--white round tablet

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a rasagiline overdose may include drowsiness, severe headache, feeling agitated or irritable, vision problems, fast and uneven heartbeats, sweating, cold or clammy skin, shallow breathing, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

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What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking rasagiline?
Do not take rasagiline if you have liver disease or an adrenal gland tumor (also called pheochromocytoma). Do not take rasagiline within 14 days before having surgery. Do not take rasagiline if you have taken any of the following drugs within the past 14 days: meperidine (Demerol); tramadol (Ultram); propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet); methadone (Methadose, Dolophine); over-the-counter cough, cold, or allergy medicines containing dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, or phenylephrine; St. John's wort;

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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