Why have I been prescribed Rasagiline 1mg Tablets?

Rasagiline 1mg Tablets is used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It can be used together with or without Levodopa (another medicine that is used to treat Parkinson’s disease).

How does it work?

With Parkinson’s disease, there is a loss of cells that produce dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain involved in movement control. Rasagiline 1mg Tablets helps to increase and sustain levels of dopamine in the brain.

When and how do I take it?

Rasagiline 1mg Tablets is usually taken once daily and may be taken with or without food.

What’s the dose?

The usual dose of Rasagiline 1mg Tablets is 1 tablet of 1 mg taken by mouth once daily.

Could it interact with other tablets?

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without prescription, herbal preparations, or if you are smoking or intend to stop smoking.

Ask your doctor for advice before taking any of the following medicines together with Rasagiline 1mg Tablets:

• Certain antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants)
• the antibiotic ciprofloxacin used against infections
• the cough suppressant dextromethorphan
• sympathomimetics such as those present in eye drops, nasal and oral decongestants and cold medicine containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.

The use of Rasagiline 1mg Tablets together with the antidepressants containing fluoxetine or fluvoxamine should be avoided.

• If you are starting treatment with Rasagiline 1mg Tablets, you should wait at least 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine treatment.
• If you are starting treatment with fluoxetine or fluvoxamine, you should wait at least 14 days after stopping Rasagiline 1mg Tablets treatment.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

Like all medicines, Rasagiline 1mg Tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The following side effects have been reported:

Very common:

• abnormal movements (dyskinesia)
• headache

Common:

• abdominal pain
• fall
• allergy
• fever
• flu (influenza)
• general feeling of being unwell (malaise)
• neck pain
• chest pain (angina pectoris)
• low blood pressure when rising to a standing position with symptoms like dizziness/light-headedness (orthostatic hypotension)
• Decreased appetite
• constipation
• dry mouth
• nausea and vomiting
• flatulence
• abnormal results of blood tests (leucopenia)
• joint pain (arthralgia)
• musculoskeletal pain
• joint inflammation (arthritis)
• numbness and muscle weakness of the hand (carpal tunnel syndrome )
• decreased weight
• abnormal dreams
• difficulty in muscular coordination (balance disorder)
• depression
• dizziness (vertigo)
• prolonged muscle contractions (dystonia)
• runny nose (rhinitis)
• rash or irritation of the skin (dermatitis)
• rash
• bloodshot eyes (conjunctivitis)
• urinary urgency

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

There are no known interactions between alcohol and Rasagiline 1mg Tablets. Always ask your pharmacist/doctor however as other tablets you are taking may have a bearing on whether you can drink alcohol or not.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

Rasagiline 1mg Tablets should not be used during pregnancy or while breast feeding without consultation with your doctor.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasagiline

http://www.azilect.com/

http://www.drugs.com/azilect.html

http://www.rxlist.com/azilect-drug.htm