Rasagiline (ra-SA-ji-leen)

Treats Parkinson disease. This medicine is an MAOI.

Brand Name(s):

Azilect

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Missed dose: Skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• You must avoid many other medicines while you are using rasagiline. These medicines used together could cause serious health problems, including death. Ask your doctor before you use any other medicine. You may need to wait 1 to 5 weeks before you can use the other medicine.
• Do not use rasagiline if you have used an MAOI within the past 14 days. Do not use this medicine if you are using St John's wort, cyclobenzaprine, dextromethorphan, meperidine, methadone, propoxyphene, or tramadol.
• Some other medicines that can interact with rasagiline include ciprofloxacin, metoclopramide, cough and cold medicines (such as dextromethorphan), medicine to treat depression or mental health issues (such as a TCA, SSRI, or SSNRI).
• Avoid foods and drinks that are high in tyramine, because your blood pressure could get dangerously high. Your doctor should give you a complete list. In general, do not eat anything aged or fermented, such as most cheese, most alcohol, cured meat (such as salami), sauerkraut, and soy sauce. Check the expiration dates on packages. Tyramine levels get higher as food gets older or if it has not been refrigerated properly.
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, high or low blood pressure, muscle problems, or a history of mental illness.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Serotonin syndrome (when used with antidepressant medicine)
  • Low or high blood pressure
  • Unusual changes in mood or behavior, compulsive behavior, hallucinations
  • Possible increased risk of skin cancer
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. It may even cause you to fall asleep without warning. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand up slowly if you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Anxiety, restlessness, fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Extreme sleepiness or drowsiness
• Confusion, unusual changes in mood or behavior, behaviors you cannot control
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Skin changes or growths
• Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control, tremors, problems with balance or walking

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Joint or muscle pain
• Mild nausea or vomiting, constipation, upset stomach
• Weight loss

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088