* Generic Name: rasagiline
* Brand Name: Azilect
* What is rasagiline (Azilect)?
* What are the possible side effects of rasagiline (Azilect)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
rasagiline (Azilect)?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
rasagiline (Azilect)?
* How should I take rasagiline (Azilect)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Azilect)?
* What happens if I overdose (Azilect)?
* What should I avoid while taking rasagiline (Azilect)?
* What other drugs will affect rasagiline (Azilect)?
* Where can I get more information (Azilect)?
What is rasagiline (Azilect)?
Rasagiline works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the
brain.
Rasagiline is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease
(stiffness, tremors, spasms, poor muscle control). Rasagiline is
sometimes used with another medicine called levodopa.
Rasagiline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What are the possible side effects of rasagiline (Azilect)?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
* extreme drowsiness or falling asleep suddenly, even after feeling
alert;
* unusual changes in mood or behavior;
* a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
* worsening symptoms of Parkinson's disease (especially uncontrolled
muscle movements); or
* dangerously high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision,
pounding in your neck or ears, anxiety, confusion, severe chest
pain, shortness of breath, severe weakness, seizure.
Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin
syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating,
shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of
coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Some people taking rasagiline with levodopa have fallen asleep during
normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving.
Tell your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or
drowsiness.
You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other
intense urges while taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor if this
occurs.
Common side effects may include:
* dizziness, drowsiness;
* sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;
* involuntary muscle movements;
* loss of appetite, weight loss;
* indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation;
* joint pain or stiffness;
* swelling in your hands or feet;
* dry mouth, cough; or
* flu symptoms (fever, chills, body aches).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about rasagiline
(Azilect)?
Tell your doctor about all medicines you have used in the 2-week period
before you start taking rasagiline. Many drugs can interact with
rasagiline, and some drugs should not be used together.
Do not rasagiline if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14
days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue
injection, phenelzine, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
Azilect Patient Information including How Should I Take
Parkinson's Disease:Symptoms, Stages and Treatment
Parkinson's Disease Slideshow Pictures
Dementia, Alzheimer's, and Aging Brains
Dementia Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the Parkinson's Quiz
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rasagiline
(Azilect)?
You should not take rasagiline if you are allergic to it.
Do not use rasagiline if you have used any other MAO inhibitor in the
past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors
include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine,
selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
Many medicines can interact with rasagiline and cause unwanted or
dangerous effects. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan
if you use any of the following drugs:
* cyclobenzaprine (a muscle relaxer);
* dextromethorphan (contained in many over-the-counter cough
medicines);
* meperidine (Demerol);
* methadone;
* St. John's wort; or
* tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet).
Some medicines can interact with rasagiline and cause a serious
condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your doctor knows if you
also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or
medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease,
migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea
and vomiting. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when
you take your medications.
To make sure rasagiline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have
ever had:
* high or low blood pressure;
* liver or kidney disease; or
* if you take ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic).
People with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk of skin
cancer (melanoma). Talk to your doctor about this risk and what
skin symptoms to watch for.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether rasagiline passes into breast milk or if it
could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take rasagiline (Azilect)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
occasionally change your dose. Do not take this medicine in larger or
smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
If you take rasagiline alone, your dose may be different than if you
take rasagiline with other Parkinson's medications. Follow your
doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
Rasagiline may be only part of a complete program of treatment that
also includes a special diet. Follow the diet plan created for you
by your doctor or nutrition counselor.
Get familiar with the list of foods you should avoid to help prevent
certain side effects of rasagiline.
Call your doctor if your Parkinson's symptoms do not improve, or if
they get worse while using rasagiline.
Do not stop using rasagiline suddenly, or you could have unpleasant
withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using
rasagiline.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Azilect Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Parkinson's Disease:Symptoms, Stages and Treatment
Parkinson's Disease Slideshow Pictures
Dementia, Alzheimer's, and Aging Brains
Dementia Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the Parkinson's Quiz
What happens if I miss a dose (Azilect)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Azilect)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, dizziness, severe headache,
hallucinations, feeling agitated or irritable, muscle spasms in
your neck or jaw, sweating, cold or clammy skin, shallow breathing,
fainting, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking rasagiline (Azilect)?
Rasagiline may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or
operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may
feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of rasagiline.
Especially avoid red wine, vermouth, and tap beers or ale.
Also avoid eating foods that are high in tyramine, such as aged
cheeses, fava beans, soy sauce, herring, pickled or processed meats
and fish, and meats that are aged, dried, smoked, or fermented. Eating
tyramine while you are taking rasagiline can raise your blood pressure
to dangerous levels which could cause life-threatening side effects.
What other drugs will affect rasagiline (Azilect)?
Taking rasagiline with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen this
effect. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic
medication, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or
seizures. Tell your doctor if you have taken an antidepressant during
the 2-week period before you start taking rasagiline.
Many drugs can interact with rasagiline, and some drugs should not be
used together. This includes prescription and over-the-counter
medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions
are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all your
current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information (Azilect)?
Your doctor or pharmacist has more information about rasagiline.
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