Azilect

Common use

Azilect works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Azilect is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease (stiffness, tremors, spasms, poor muscle control). Azilect is sometimes used with another medicine called levodopa.

Dosage and direction

Take Azilect exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop using Azilect suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine. Usual Adult Dose for Parkinson's Disease - Monotherapy (recommended dose): 1 mg orally once a day. Maximum dose: 1 mg orally once a day.

Precautions

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.
Before you take this medicine, tell your doctor if you have liver disease.

Contraindications

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.
You should not take Azilect if you are allergic to rasagiline.
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).

Possible side effect

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.
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 Azilect 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.

Drug interaction

Using Azilect 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.

Missed dose

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

Overdose

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, dizziness, severe headache, rapid pulse, feeling agitated or irritable, muscle spasms in your neck or jaw, sweating, cold or clammy skin, shallow breathing, fainting, or seizure (convulsions). These symptoms may be delayed for 12 to 24 hours after an overdose. Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep away from children and pets.