Do not Azilect if you have used a MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you have used in the 2-week period before you start taking Azilect. Many drugs can interact with rasagiline, and some drugs should not be used together.
Before you take this medicine, tell your doctor if you have liver disease.
There are many other drugs that can cause serious medical problems if you take them together with Azilect. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.
While you are taking this medicine and for 2 weeks after you stop taking it, you may not be able to eat certain types of cheese. Follow your doctor's instructions. Rasagiline may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take Azilect 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 should I take Azilect?
Take Azilect exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
If you take Azilect alone, your dose may be different than if you take it with other Parkinson's medications. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
Azilect may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes a special diet. Follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor.
Get familiar with the list of foods you should avoid to help prevent certain side effects of rasagiline.
Call your doctor if your Parkinson's symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using Azilect.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Do not stop using Azilect suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.
