Rasagiline
Description
Rasagiline is used either alone or in combination with other medicines in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (a brain disorder that affects movement). This medicine works by increasing the levels of dopamine (a chemical messenger present in your brain) for better transmission of nerve signals.
Rasagiline can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, dry mouth, loss of appetite, etc. These side effects are often short-lasting and resolve on their own. Consult your doctor if they become persistent or worsen. Avoid driving vehicles and operating machines while taking this medicine as it may make you feel drowsy.
Rasagiline may be taken with or without food as directed by your doctor. The dose and duration of treatment will be determined by your doctor based on your clinical condition. Take it at the same time every day to maintain a constant level of medicine in your body. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor, as your symptoms may become worse.
Rasagiline is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor about all your current medicines and pre-existing medical conditions. This will help your doctor adjust the dose to avoid side effects. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Rasagiline
- Headache
- Increase in blood pressure
- Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Serotonin syndrome (agitation, hallucinations, seizures, nausea)
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
Uses of Rasagiline
What is it prescribed for?
- Parkinson's disease
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Rasagiline can be seen within one hour.
- Duration of effectRasagiline can remain in your body for 18 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Avoid consumption of alcohol during treatment with Rasagiline as it may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, difficulty in concentration, etc.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Rasagiline.
- Usage in pregnancy?Rasagiline is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary as not enough studies are done to understand its safety for use. Hence consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is not known whether Rasagiline passes into breastmilk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Hence consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Rasagiline is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)
MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) are medications used to treat depression and other mental health conditions. Do not take Rasagiline with MAOIs or within two weeks after discontinuing MAOIs, as it can lead to life-threatening complications.
Severe liver disease
Rasagiline is not recommended if you have severe liver problems as this medicine is broken down in the liver. Taking this medicine in such cases can result in toxicity. It should be avoided if you have moderate liver problems.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Rasagiline is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary as not enough studies are done to understand its safety for use. Hence consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether Rasagiline passes into breastmilk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Hence consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Orthostatic hypotension
Rasagiline should be used with caution as it may cause orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure while suddenly getting up from a sitting or a lying position), especially when the dose is increased.
Withdrawal symptoms
Rasagiline may cause symptoms such as depression, agitation, anxiety, etc., associated with withdrawal of the medicine or dose change. Your doctor will monitor your condition closely and slowly taper your dose to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Hence avoid the discontinuation of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Use in children
Rasagiline is not recommended for use in children less than 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically known.
Driving or operating machines
Rasagiline may cause drowsiness. Hence avoid performing activities that require high mental alertness like driving vehicles or operating machines while you are taking this medicine.
Other medicines
Rasagiline may interact with other medicines and cause side effects. Hence, inform your doctor about all your current medicines, including any herbs and supplements, before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Kidney disease
Rasagiline should be used with caution if you have kidney problems. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of Rasagiline, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the normal dosing schedule. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Do not exceed the recommended dose. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose of Rasagiline.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Avoid consumption of alcohol during treatment with Rasagiline as it may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, difficulty in concentration, etc.
Interaction with Medicine
Linezolid
Tapentadol
Antidepressants
Metoprolol
Disease interactions
Psychotic disorders
Rasagiline should be used with extreme caution if you are diagnosed with any mental health conditions (a wide range of conditions that affect mood, behaviour, and thinking), as it may worsen your condition. If you experience any change in mood, thinking, and behaviour during treatment with this medicine, inform your doctor.
Liver Disease
Rasagiline should be used with extreme caution if you have mild liver problems as this medicine is broken down in the liver. If your liver is not working correctly, it might cause an accumulation of this medicine in the body, resulting in toxicity.
High blood pressure
Rasagiline should be used with caution if you have high blood pressure as it may further increase your blood pressure. It is recommended that you monitor your blood pressure and heart rate regularly when taking this medicine.
Food interactions
Consumption of caffeine along with Rasagiline may increase the blood levels and effects of this medicine. It may cause alterations in blood pressure, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and hallucinations. It is advised that you do not consume caffeine during treatment with this medicine.
Taking Rasagiline along with foods rich in tyramine such as aged or processed cheese, red wine, avocados, fermented foods, etc., may cause a sudden increase in blood pressure. Therefore, avoid taking such food during treatment with this medicine.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Rasagiline as instructed by the doctor. Do not chew or crush the tablet.
Do not take more than the prescribed amount of Rasagiline.
Be careful while standing up from a sitting or lying position to avoid feeling dizzy.
Avoid consuming caffeine-containing products (such as tea, coffee, soft drinks, etc.) while taking this medicine as increase the risk of undesired effects.
Avoid sudden discontinuation of this medicine without consulting your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Rasagiline works by increasing the amount of dopamine, a natural substance present in the brain that helps control movements of the body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Monoamine oxidase type B inhibitors (MAOBI)
Schedule
Schedule H
Drugs, H., 2021. Rasagiline: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 19 November 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - RASAGILINE MESYLATE tablet. [online] Available at: [Accessed 19 November 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 19 November 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Rasagiline 1 mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: [Accessed 19 November 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 19 Jan 2023
Disclaimer
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