What does it do?

Rasagiline is used to treat Parkinson’s disease. It increases the amount of dopamine in your brain.

Before you start

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How should you take it?

Take rasagiline regularly as directed with a glass of water. You can take it with or without food.

What if you forget a dose?

If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Can you take other medicines?

Some medicines available without a prescription may react with rasagiline including:

• cold and flu medicines containing oxymetazoline (e.g. Drixine®), phenylephrine (e.g. Sudafed PE®) or xylometazoline (e.g. Otrivin®)
• some migraine medicines, such as sumatriptan (e.g. Sumagran Active®)

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products (e.g. St John's wort) or recreational drugs (e.g. ecstasy).

What side effects might you notice?

Side Effects	Recommended action
Unusual urges (e.g. gambling, eating, spending, sex) Strange or uncontrolled movements	Tell your doctor
Stomach upset, loss of appetite	Tell your doctor if troublesome
Lightheaded or dizzy after standing up	Stand up slowly. If it continues, or is severe, tell your doctor

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

• Rasagiline can impair your ability to do tasks such as driving or using machines. Alcohol makes this worse. Discuss your risk with your health professional. (search NZTA - Are you safe to drive?)
• Smoking can change the effect of rasagiline. Tell your doctor if you give up, cut down or start smoking.
• Rasagiline can cause a serious condition called serotonin toxicity when used with some other medicines. Stop taking rasagiline and tell your doctor immediately if you are feeling confused, have muscle twitching or shaking you can’t control, heavy sweating, or a fever.
• Rasagiline is not registered for use in New Zealand. Discuss with your doctor.
• Do not stop taking rasagiline without talking to your doctor first.