Azilect (Rasagiline) belongs to the family of medications known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). It is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It acts on the nervous system to increase the levels of a chemical called dopamine. Low dopamine levels in the brain are responsible for many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, so this medication works by rebalancing the levels of dopamine. Azilect may be taken alone or in combination with levodopa to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Manufacturer Information
We currently have the brand from Canada and Turkey manufactured by Teva. The generic Rasalect from India is manufactured by Sun Pharma. The recommended dose of Rasagiline is 0.5mg to 1 mg once daily.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
• Agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• Dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, anxiety, chest pain, confusion);
• Feeling like you might pass out;
• Loss of coordination, fainting;
• Sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body) problems with speech or balance;
• Tremor, muscle twitching or stiffness
Less serious side effects include:
• Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain or upset, vomiting, weight loss;
• Dizziness, spinning sensation;
• Dry mouth, loss of appetite;
• Flu symptoms, joint pain;
• Impotence, loss of interest in sex, or trouble having an orgasm;
• Mild headache, depressed mood, strange dreams;
• Numbness or tingly feeling
You should not take Azilect if you are allergic to Rasagiline. It is unknown whether Azilect will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Azilect. It is not known whether Rasagiline passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Azilect may slow breast milk production. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. There may be an interaction between Rasagiline and other medications such as ciprofloxacin, levodopa, methadone, selegline, theophylline, tramadol, etc.
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