rasagiline

Brand name(s):

Azilect

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.

While you are taking rasagiline and for 2 weeks after you stop taking it, you must not eat or drink certain foods and beverages that are high in tyramine, listed in the "What should I avoid while taking rasagiline?" section of this leaflet. Eating these foods while you are taking rasagiline can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels. This may cause life-threatening symptoms such as sudden and severe headache, confusion, blurred vision, problems with speech or balance, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, seizure (convulsions), and sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body). Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.

You should become very familiar with the list of foods you must avoid while taking rasagiline. Continue avoiding these foods for a full 14 days after you stop taking the medication.

Rasagiline can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

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.

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;
mirtazapine (Remeron);
cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril);
amphetamines (such as ADHD medication), stimulants, diet pills; or
other MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam).

Some people taking rasagiline have developed skin cancer (melanoma). However, people with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk than most people for developing melanoma. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk and what skin symptoms to watch for.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether rasagiline passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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