AZILECT (RASAGILE)
Azilect (Rasagiline) is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat Parkinson’s disease. This is a condition that affects the nervous system and causes muscle movements that you can’t control. The most common symptom of Parkinson’s disease is tremors (shaking movements), usually in the hands or feet. The active drug in Azilect is rasagiline. Azilect belongs to a drug class known as monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors, which are also known as MAOIs. A drug class is a group of medications that work in a similar way. Azilect comes as a tablet that you swallow. You’ll likely take this drug once daily. Azilect comes in two strengths: 0.5 milligram (mg) and 1 mg.
Azilect (Rasagiline) is a brand-name drug that contains the active drug rasagiline. This active drug is also available as a generic medication. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. If you’re interested in using the generic form of Azilect, talk with your doctor. They can tell you whether it comes in forms and strengths that can be used for your condition.
FORMS
0.5 mg – each white-to-off-white, round, flat, bevelled tablet, marked with “GIL” and “0.5” below on one side and plain on the other, contains rasagiline 0.5 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, mannitol, pregelatinized starch, starch, stearic acid, and talc.
1 mg – each white-to-off-white, round, flat, bevelled tablet, marked with “GIL” and “1” below on one side and plain on the other, contains rasagiline 1 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, mannitol, pregelatinized starch, starch, stearic acid, and talc.
BEFORE YOU TAKE THE MEDICATION
You should not take Azilect (Rasagiline) if you are allergic to rasagiline. Do not use Azilect 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. Many drugs can interact and cause dangerous effects. Some drugs should not be used together with Azilect. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use: cyclobenzaprine (a muscle relaxer); dextromethorphan (contained in many over-the-counter cough medicines); meperidine (Demerol); methadone; St. John’s wort; or tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet). Be sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. These medicines may interact with rasagiline and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. To make sure Azilect is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: high or low blood pressure; liver or kidney disease; or if you take ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic). People with Parkinson’s disease may have a higher risk of skin cancer (melanoma). Ask your doctor about skin symptoms to watch for. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
HOW TO USE
Take Azilect (Rasagiline) by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Do not increase your dose or take it more often than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. A very serious high blood pressure reaction may rarely occur if you eat a large amount of tyramine while taking rasagiline and for 2 weeks after you stop it. Avoid foods that are high in tyramine, like aged cheeses (such as Stilton cheese). Consult your doctor or dietician about which foods you should avoid and if you do not feel well after eating or drinking certain foods while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if this medication stops working well or if your condition gets worse.
SIDE EFFECTS
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have: severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears extreme drowsiness or falling asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert; unusual changes in mood or behavior; hallucinations; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or worsening symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (especially uncontrolled muscle movements). Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. 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. You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor if this occurs. Common side effects may include: depressed mood; sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams; involuntary muscle movements; loss of appetite, weight loss; indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation; joint pain or stiffness; rash; cough or other flu symptoms; dry mouth; or swelling in your hands or feet.
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
WHAT OTHER DRUGS WILL AFFECT AZILECT (RASAGILINE)?
Using Azilect (Rasagiline) with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures. Tell your doctor if you have taken an antidepressant during the 2-week period before you start taking Azilect. Many drugs can interact with rasagiline, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
CAN I CONSUME ALCOHOL WHILE TAKING AZILECT (RASAGILINE)?
If you take Azilect, drinking alcohol is not recommended. Some beers, wines, and foods contain a large amount of a substance called tyramine. When tyramine is combined with Azilect, a dangerous interaction could cause a sudden and extreme rise in your blood pressure. Even if an alcoholic beverage doesn’t contain tyramine, alcohol could worsen certain side effects of Azilect.
STORAGE
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Azilect (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). Azilect (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. Buy online at www.usascripthelpers.com . USH only offers approved and affordable medications to all Americans. USA Script Helpers not only offer human medications but also PetMeds. USH wants that all Americans have access to these affordable life-saving medications.
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