Rasagiline is used alone or together with other medicines to treat Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a disorder that affects movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking. It is used to improve the medicinal effect of other Parkinson's disease medicines such as levodopa.
Rasagiline does not cure Parkinson's disease but it can improve the quality of life for people who have the disease.
Take Rasagiline exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take Rasagiline with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Rasagiline must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking Rasagiline even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed otherwise, as stopping it suddenly could worsen your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor or pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have severe liver disease as Rasagiline may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Rasagiline with strong painkillers and a medicine to treat depression called a mononamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) especially in the last 14 days. Please see the section “Can I take this with other medicines?” below for more information.
Do not take Rasagiline within 5 weeks of stopping another medicine to treat depression called fluoxetine. Do not take any other medicines for depression within 2 weeks of stopping Rasagiline.
Inform your doctor if you have mental illness.
Rasagiline may cause dizziness and tiredness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Rasagiline may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, muscle or neck pain, flu-like symptoms such as fever, runny nose or feeling unwell, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, fever, stomach pain, constipation and dry mouth. These side effects are common especially when you have just started taking Rasagiline.
Let your doctor know if you experience:
- chest pain
- confusion and hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent)
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, agitated, or having compulsive and impulsive behaviour)
- uncontrollable movements such as twitching or jerking
- severe headache accompanied by shortness of breath, confusion and blurred vision
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Rasagiline with the following medicines:
- strong painkillers e.g. meperidine, tramadol
- medicine for depression called a MAOI e.g. phenelzine or tranylcypromine
This is especially important within the last 2 weeks of stopping the above medicines.
Do not take Rasagiline within 5 weeks of stopping fluoxetine (a medicine for depression) or take any other medicines for depression (e.g. amitriptyline, venlafaxine) within 2 weeks of stopping Rasagiline.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- antibiotics e.g. ciprofloxacin
- medicines to treat cough, cold or stuffy nose e.g. dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Rasagiline.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol and other drinks that contain tyramine such as red wine and beer.
Avoid foods that are high in tyramine, such as cheese, sausages, soya beans, fava beans, broad beans and certain pickles such as sauerkraut. Ask your doctor about the types of food you should avoid.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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