Details

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 (stiffness, tremors, spasms, poor muscle control). Rasagiline is sometimes used with another drug called levodopa. 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. To make sure rasagiline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have high or low blood pressure liver disease if you take an antidepressant or if you take ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic).

Typical Uses

Rasagiline is used alone or with other medications (such as levodopa/carbidopa) to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It can help improve symptoms such as shakiness, stiffness, and difficulty moving. It can also help reduce the amount of "off" time (periods of slow movement or stiffness). Rasagiline belongs to a class of drugs known as MAO inhibitors. It works by increasing the levels of certain natural substances in the brain (such as dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin). Parkinson's disease is thought to be caused by too little dopamine in the brain.

Side Effects

Common rasagiline side effects may include extreme drowsiness, falling asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert unusual changes in mood or behaviour 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, nosebleed, anxiety, confusion, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, seizure. 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.

Drug Interactions

• Rasagiline+amitriptyline- Using rasagiline together with amitriptyline is not recommended. Combining these medications can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
• Rasagiline+bupropion- Using bupropion together with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like rasagiline is not recommended. Combining these medications can cause blood pressure to get dangerously high, which may be a medical emergency.
• Rasagiline+carbetapentane- Ask your doctor before using rasagiline together with carbetapentane. Using these drugs together can lead to increased blood pressure, sudden and severe headache, rapid heartbeat, stiffness in your neck, nausea, vomiting, sweating, vision problems, and sensitivity to light. You should wait at least 14 days after you stop using an MAOI before you start using carbetapentane.
• Rasagiline+desipramine- Using rasagiline together with desipramine is not recommended. Combining these medications can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea

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Mechanism of action

Rasagiline belongs to class of medicines called monoamine oxidase B inhibitors. It works by increasing certain chemical substances in the brain (dopamine) which is responsible for movement related function of the body.

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