rasagiline, Azilect (cont.)

Pharmacy Author:

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

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Medical and Pharmacy Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies of rasagiline in pregnant women. Rasagiline should only be used in pregnant women if the benefit is felt to justify the unknown risk.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known whether rasagiline is secreted in human milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common adverse effects of rasagiline are flu like symptoms, headache, nausea, joint pain, upset stomach, depression, falls, constipation, postural hypotension (a drop in blood pressure when moving from a lying or sitting position to a sitting or standing position, respectively), dry mouth, rash, hallucinations, vomiting and difficulty moving. Rasagiline also may cause low or high blood pressure. A hypertensive crisis may occur if foods high in tyramine are consumed while taking rasagiline. Tyramine in food usually is broken down in the intestine by MAO-A in the intestinal wall as the tyramine is absorbed into the body. There are no adequate studies in humans to determine whether rasagiline also inhibits MAO-A; however, if MAO-A is inhibited, tyramine ingested in food may enter the body in larger amounts and result in a hypertensive crisis. Foods high in tyramine include those that are aged, fermented, pickled, or smoked. Examples include aged cheeses, air-dried meats, sauerkraut, soy sauce, tap/draft beers and red wines. As a precaution, foods high in tyramine should be avoided when taking rasagiline.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information

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