Generic

Rasagiline

Indications

Rasagil® (Rasagiline tablet) is indicated as monotherapy or as adjunct therapy for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Pharmacology

Rasagiline is a selective, potent and irreversible MAOB inhibitor that effectively crosses the blood-brain barrier after oral administration. The exact mechanism of action of rasagiline is unknown. One mechanism is thought to be related to its MAOB inhibitory activity, which causes an increase in extracellular dopamine levels in the brain. Elevated levels of dopamine and the resulting increase in dopaminergic activity may influence the beneficial effects of rasagiline.

Dosage & Administration

Recommended dose is 1 mg orally once daily as monotherapy or as adjunct therapy in patients not taking levodopa. In patients taking levodopa, with or without other PD drugs (e.g., dopamine agonist, amantadine, anticholinergics), the recommended initial dose of Rasagil® is 0.5 mg once daily. If the patient tolerates the daily 0.5 mg dose, but a sufficient clinical response is not achieved, the dose may be increased to 1 mg once daily. When Rasagil® is used in combination with levodopa, a reduction of the levodopa dose may be considered, based upon individual response.

The recommended dose of Rasagil® should not be exceeded because of risk of hypertension.

Interaction

Concomitant use of Rasagiline with meperidine, dextromethorphan and antidepressants is not recommended.

Contraindications

The use of rasagiline with meperidine, tramadol, methadone, propoxyphene, and MAO inhibitors (MAOIs), including other selective MAOB inhibitors, is contraindicated, due to the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Side Effects

Side effects include joint pain, mild headache, depressed mood, dizziness, spinning sensation, hair loss, mild skin rash, numbness or tingly feeling, dry mouth, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain or upset, vomiting, weight loss etc.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy category C Caution should be exercised when prescribing to pregnant women. Experimental data indicated that Rasagiline inhibits prolactin secretion and, thus, may inhibit lactation. It is not known whether Rasagiline is excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when Rasagil® is administered to a breastfeeding mother.

Precautions & Warnings

Hypertensive episodes may occur during treatment with Rasagiline. Medication adjustment may be necessary if blood pressure is consistently high. The dose should not exceed 0.5 mg once daily in patients with mild hepatic impairment or concomitantly receiving ciprofloxacin or other CYP1A2 inhibitors.

Therapeutic Class

Antiparkinson drugs

Storage Conditions

Store at temperature not exceeding 30 ºC in a dry place. Protect from light.

Pharmaceutical Name

Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Ltd.