What is Rasagiline?
Rasagiline can be used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. (Stiffness and tremors; spasms; poor muscle control) Rasagiline can be used in conjunction with another medication called levodopa.Rasagiline can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Rasagiline
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
Rasagiline can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Severe headache; blurred vision; or pounding in the neck and ears
- Extreme drowsiness or falling asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert;
- Unusual changes in mood or behavior
- Hallucinations;
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- Parkinson's symptoms (especially uncontrolled movements) can worsen.
Serotonin syndrome symptoms include: hallucinations and agitation; fever, sweating, or shivering; rapid heartbeat; muscle stiffness or twitching; and loss of coordination.People who take levodopa and rasagiline have reported falling asleep while doing normal activities during the day, such as driving, working, talking, or eating. Speak to your doctor if daytime sleepiness is a problem.While taking rasagiline, you may experience increased sexual desire, urges to gamble, or other intense desires. If this happens, talk to your doctor.
Rasagiline can cause a number of side effects.
- Depressed mood
- Sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;
- Involuntary muscular movements
- Loss of appetite, weight loss
- Indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation;
- Stiffness or joint pain
- Rash;
- Cough or Other Flu Symptoms
- Dry Mouth
- Swelling in the hands or feet
There may be other side effects.For medical advice regarding side effects, always contact your physician first. To report adverse reactions directly, the FDA can be reached at 1-800-FDA-1088 for support.
Similar/related drugs
ropinirole, pramipexole, benztropine, carbidopa/levodopa , Exelon, and Gocovri
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you've taken any other medicines in the past two weeks before starting rasagiline. Some drugs shouldn't be taken together with rasagiline.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to rasagiline, do not take it.
If you've used another MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days, do not take rasagiline. Harmful drug interactions may occur. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and selegiline.Many drugs can cause harmful interactions. Rasagiline and some drugs shouldn't be taken together. If you are also taking
- Cyclobenzaprine (a muscle relaxer);
- Dextromethorphan
- Meperidine (demerol);
- Methadone;
- St.
- Tramadol (ultram, ultracet).
Make sure to tell your doctor if you are also taking stimulant medicines, opioid medications, herbal supplements, or medication for mental illness or migraine headaches. These drugs may cause serotonin-induced syndrome, a serious condition.
Notify your doctor of any of the following conditions:
- High or low blood pressure
- Liver or kidney disease
- if you take ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic).
The risk of cancerous skin is higher in people with Parkinson's (melanoma). Consult your doctor for information on skin symptoms.Inform your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or nursing.
How to take Rasagiline?
Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow the directions. Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose.Take your medication exactly as prescribed.You may need a different dose if you are taking rasagiline by itself than if it is taken with other Parkinson's medications. Dosing instructions from your doctor should be followed very closely.Rasagiline is often part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes a special dietary plan. Your doctor or nutritionist will have created a diet plan for you.Avoid certain foods to prevent the side effects of rasagiline.If your Parkinson's disease symptoms don't improve or worsen while taking rasagiline, call your doctor.Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.Avoid abruptly stopping rasagiline, or you may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. You should ask your doctor about how to stop taking rasagiline safely.
Details on dosage
Adult dosage for Parkinson's disease:
Monotherapy:
Dosage: 1 mg taken orally, once per day.
Adjunct Therapy:
Initial dose: 0.5mg orally, once daily (for patients taking levodopa concurrently).
Initial dose: 1 mg once daily orally (for patients who are not taking levodopa concurrently).
Maintenance dose: 0.5 to 1 mg once daily orally
Maximum dose: one mg orally, once per day.
Comments: It can be used to treat Parkinson's patients in conjunction with levodopa or in combination with other drugs.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Do not take the missed dose. Use your next dose as usual. Do not take two doses in one go.
What happens if I overdose?
Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. A rasagiline overdose can be fatal.These symptoms include: drowsiness or dizziness; severe headaches; rapid heartbeat; agitation or irritation; muscle spasms of the neck or jaw area; sweating or cold skin; and shallow breathing. Overdose symptoms can be delayed from 12 to 24 hours after the overdose.
What should be avoided?
You should avoid driving or engaging in hazardous activities until you are sure of how rasagiline affects you. Dizziness and drowsiness may cause accidents or serious injuries. You may get dizzy if you stand up quickly from a seated or lying position.Avoid alcohol, particularly red wine, vermouth, and tap beer or ale.Avoid eating foods high in tyramine. These include aged cheeses, fava beans, soy sauce, and herring. Also, avoid pickled, processed, or aged meats or fish. Consuming tyramine when you are on rasagiline could raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels, which can cause life-threatening effects.
Interaction with other drug
This effect can be worsened by using rasagiline in conjunction with other drugs that make you sleepy. Before taking opioids, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medications for seizures or anxiety, consult your doctor. Inform your doctor if, during the two-week period prior to starting rasagiline, you took an antidepressant.Rasgiline can interact with many drugs, and certain drugs shouldn't be taken together. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you have started or stopped using. Included are prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible interactions.
