What is rasagiline?
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. Rasagiline is sometimes used with another drug called levodopa.
Rasagiline may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about rasagiline?
Certain medicines should not be taken together with rasagiline. Before you take this medication, tell your doctor about all other medications you are using, especially muscle relaxers, narcotic pain medicine, over-the-counter cough medicine, or St. John's wort.
Do not use rasagiline if you have taken another MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Serious, life threatening side effects can occur if you use rasagiline before the other MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Before you take rasagiline, 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 rasagiline. 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 rasagiline 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 should I discuss with my health care provider before taking rasagiline?
You should not take rasagiline if you are allergic to it.
Do not take rasagiline if you have taken any of the following drugs within the past 14 days:
meperidine (Demerol);
tramadol (Ultram);
propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet);
methadone (Methadose, Dolophine);
St. John's wort;
cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril, Amrix, Fexmid); or
dextromethorphan (contained in many over-the-counter cough medicines).
Do not use rasagiline if you have taken another MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Serious, life threatening side effects can occur if you use rasagiline before the other MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
If you have liver disease, you may need a rasagiline dose adjustment or special tests.
Some people taking Parkinson's disease medications have developed skin cancer (melanoma). However, people with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk of melanoma. Talk to your doctor about this risk and what skin symptoms to watch for. You may need to have regular skin exams.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether rasagiline will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication..
It is not known whether rasagiline passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Rasagiline may slow breast milk production. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.