Azilect

Generic name: Rasagiline
Drug class: Dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

Usage of Azilect

Azilect works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain.

Azilect is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease (stiffness, tremors, spasms, poor muscle control).

Azilect is sometimes used with another medicine called levodopa.

Azilect side effects

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

Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;

extreme drowsiness or falling asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert;

unusual changes in mood or behavior;

hallucinations;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or

worsening symptoms of Parkinson's disease (especially uncontrolled muscle movements).

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 Azilect 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 Azilect side effects may include:

depressed mood;

sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;

involuntary muscle movements;

loss of appetite, weight loss;

indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation;

joint pain or stiffness;

rash;

cough or other flu symptoms;

dry mouth; or

swelling in your hands or feet.

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.

Before taking Azilect

You should not take Azilect if you are allergic to rasagiline.

Do not use Azilect 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 drugs can interact and cause dangerous effects. Some drugs should not be used together with Azilect. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

cyclobenzaprine (a muscle relaxer);

dextromethorphan (contained in many over-the-counter cough medicines);

meperidine (Demerol);

methadone;

St. John's wort; or

tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet).

Be sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. These medicines may interact with rasagiline and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

To make sure Azilect 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). Ask your doctor about 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 may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Relate drugs

How to use Azilect

Usual Adult Dose for Parkinson's Disease:

Monotherapy: Recommended dose: 1 mg orally once a day Adjunct therapy: Initial dose (in patients on concomitant levodopa): 0.5 mg orally once a day Initial dose (in patients not on concomitant levodopa): 1 mg orally once a day Maintenance dose: 0.5 mg to 1 mg orally once a day Maximum dose: 1 mg orally once a day Comments: May be used as adjunct therapy in patients on levodopa therapy, with or without other drugs used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Warnings

Do not Azilect if you have used a MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you have used in the 2-week period before you start taking Azilect. Many drugs can interact with rasagiline, and some drugs should not be used together.

Before you take this medicine, tell your doctor if you have liver disease.

There are many other drugs that can cause serious medical problems if you take them together with Azilect. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

While you are taking this medicine and for 2 weeks after you stop taking it, you may not be able to eat certain types of cheese. Follow your doctor's instructions. Rasagiline may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

What other drugs will affect Azilect

Using Azilect with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures. Tell your doctor if you have taken an antidepressant during the 2-week period before you start taking Azilect.

Many drugs can interact with rasagiline, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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