Rasagiline
Pronunciation: (ra-SAJ-i-leen).
- Generic name
- rasagiline
- Brand names
- Rasipar, Rasalect, Azilect, Rasagil
- Drug class
- Monoamine Oxidase Type B (MAO-B) Inhibitor; Antiparkinsonian agent
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · Canada
Australia: · Full directory
What rasagiline is and how it works
Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.
Mechanism of action: how rasagiline works
Rasagiline is a selective, irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) in the brain. By inhibiting MAO-B, it reduces the breakdown of dopamine, thereby increasing synaptic dopamine concentrations and improving motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. At recommended doses, it has minimal effect on MAO-A, reducing the risk of hypertensive crisis associated with non-selective MAO inhibition. (2)
What rasagiline is used for
Parkinson's disease (monotherapy in early-stage)
Parkinson's disease (monotherapy in early-stage) (2)
Parkinson's disease (adjunctive therapy with levodopa in fluctuating patients)
Parkinson's disease (adjunctive therapy with levodopa in fluctuating patients) (2)
Improvement of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease
Improvement of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (2)
Before taking rasagiline
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Contraindicated in patients taking other MAO inhibitors, meperidine, tramadol, methadone, propoxyphene, or St. (Contraindication) (2)
- John’s wort due to risk of serotonin syndrome or hypertensive crisis. (Contraindication) (2)
- Contraindicated in severe hepatic impairment. (Contraindication) (2)
Tell your clinician about
(2)How to take rasagiline
- General Instructions: Take rasagiline exactly as prescribed by your doctor, usually once daily, with or without food.. Adult Dosing: The typical adult dose is 1 mg taken orally once daily. For monotherapy, start at 1 mg daily. When used with levodopa, the dose is also 1 mg once daily.. Pediatric Dosing: Rasagiline is not approved for use in children or adolescents under 18 years of age.. Administration: Swallow the tablet whole with water. Take at the same time each day to maintain consistent drug levels.. When To Stop: Do not stop taking rasagiline suddenly without consulting your doctor, as symptoms may worsen. Your doctor will guide you on how to safely discontinue if needed.. Storage: Store at room temperature (68–77°F or 20–25°C), away from moisture and heat. Keep out of reach of children.
- This page does not provide a dose calculator. Dosing must follow the prescriber, pharmacist, or product label.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (2)
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once.
Overdose
In case of overdose, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Symptoms may include severe headache, agitation, confusion, muscle stiffness, rapid heartbeat, and high blood pressure. Supportive care and monitoring are essential. (2)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional.
Dyskinesia
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Headache
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Nausea
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Orthostatic hypotension
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Falls
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Hallucinations
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Serotonin syndrome
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Serious warnings
May cause serious interactions with certain antidepressants and other MAO inhibitors — serious
Symptoms: May cause serious interactions with certain antidepressants and other MAO inhibitors. Risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with serotonergic drugs. May increase risk of orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure when standing). Use with caution in patients with liver impairment. May cause hallucinations or abnormal behaviors, especially in elderly patients.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Contraindications — serious
Symptoms: Contraindications: Contraindicated in patients taking other MAO inhibitors, meperidine, tramadol, methadone, propoxyphene, or St. John's wort due to risk of serotonin syndrome or hypertensive crisis. CORRECTED 2026-08-07 against the FDA label: rasagiline should NOT be used in patients with MODERATE or severe hepatic impairment (not just severe, as an earlier version of this page stated) — only in MILD hepatic impairment is it permitted, at a reduced dose of 0.5 mg once daily. Use with caution in psychiatric illness or cardiovascular disease.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded interactions | Rasagiline can interact with a variety of medications, including other MAO inhibitors, certain antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics), dextromethorphan, meperidine, tramadol, and sympathomimetic drugs. These interactions can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, hypertensive crisis, or other serious side effects. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you are taking. | (2) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
The FDA label reviewed for this page states there are no adequate human data on developmental risk with rasagiline. In animal studies, rasagiline during gestation/lactation reduced offspring survival and body weight at clinically similar doses, and combined with levodopa/carbidopa increased fetal skeletal variations (rats) and embryofetal death/cardiovascular abnormalities (rabbits). Use only if clearly needed, on the prescriber's advice. (2)
Breastfeeding
The FDA label reviewed for this page does not establish breastfeeding safety data for rasagiline; discuss with your healthcare provider given the animal reproduction findings noted for pregnancy/lactation. (2)
Children
Frequency: Not applicable. Weight Based: Not recommended for pediatric use. Max Daily Dose: Not applicable. Max Single Dose: Not applicable. Age Restrictions: Safety not established in children (2)
Renal_impairment
Renal: the FDA label states no dose adjustment is required for mild or moderate renal impairment (plasma concentrations are not increased); rasagiline has not been studied in severe renal impairment. Hepatic: the label specifies 0.5 mg once daily for mild hepatic impairment, and states rasagiline should NOT be used in moderate or severe hepatic impairment. (2)
Hepatic_impairment
Renal: the FDA label states no dose adjustment is required for mild or moderate renal impairment (plasma concentrations are not increased); rasagiline has not been studied in severe renal impairment. Hepatic: the label specifies 0.5 mg once daily for mild hepatic impairment, and states rasagiline should NOT be used in moderate or severe hepatic impairment. (2)
Monitoring
(2)Storage
The FDA label reviewed for this page directs storage at 25°C (77°F), with excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F) (USP Controlled Room Temperature).
Study the drug class: Antiparkinsonian agents
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace current product labeling.
General
Indication: Parkinson's disease (monotherapy in early-stage)
Dose summary: 1 mg orally once daily
Renal context: The FDA label states no dose adjustment is required for mild or moderate renal impairment, since rasagiline plasma concentrations are not increased in moderate renal impairment; rasagiline has not been studied in patients with severe renal impairment. (2)
Hepatic guidance
The FDA label reviewed for this page specifies a reduced dose of 0.5 mg once daily for patients with mild hepatic impairment (in patients taking levodopa) and states that rasagiline should NOT be used in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment.
Frequently asked questions
What is rasagiline used for?
Rasagiline is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as tremors, stiffness, and movement difficulties. It can be used alone or with other medications like levodopa.
How does rasagiline work?
Rasagiline works by blocking the MAO-B enzyme, which breaks down dopamine in the brain. This increases dopamine levels, helping to improve movement and reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Can I take rasagiline with other Parkinson’s medications?
Yes, rasagiline is often used with other Parkinson’s medications, especially levodopa. However, your doctor will monitor for side effects and adjust doses as needed.
What foods should I avoid while taking rasagiline?
You should avoid consuming large amounts of foods very high in tyramine, such as aged cheeses, cured meats, and some fermented products, as they may raise blood pressure.
What are the most common side effects of rasagiline?
Common side effects include headache, joint pain, indigestion, nausea, and mild dizziness. Serious side effects are rare but require immediate medical attention.
Is rasagiline safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
There is limited information on the safety of rasagiline during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It should only be used if clearly needed and prescribed by your doctor.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. Do not double up doses.
What happens if I take too much Rasagiline?
Taking too much Rasagiline can lead to serious symptoms such as severe headache, palpitations, chest pain, and hypertension, potentially progressing to hypertensive crisis. If you suspect an overdose, seek immediate emergency medical attention. Do not attempt to self-treat. Prompt medical intervention is crucial to manage potential life-threatening complications.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Rasagiline?
It is generally advised to limit or avoid alcohol consumption while taking Rasagiline. As a MAO-B inhibitor, Rasagiline can interact with certain substances, including alcohol, potentially exacerbating side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and orthostatic hypotension. Discuss alcohol use with your healthcare provider to understand individual risks and recommendations.
Is Rasagiline safe during pregnancy?
Rasagiline's safety during pregnancy has not been definitively established, and it is categorized as 'Consult Doctor' for pregnancy. Animal studies have shown potential risks, but human data are limited. Therefore, it is crucial to consult your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, to discuss the potential risks and benefits.
What is the mechanism of action of rasagiline?
Rasagiline is a selective, irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) in the brain. By inhibiting MAO-B, it reduces the breakdown of dopamine, thereby increasing synaptic dopamine concentrations and improving motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. At recommended doses, it has minimal effect on MAO-A, reducing the risk of hypertensive crisis associated with non-selective MAO inhibition. (2)
What is the generic name of Rasagiline?
The generic name is rasagiline. It is sold under brand names including Rasipar, Rasalect, Azilect, Rasagil.
What class of drug is rasagiline?
Rasagiline is classed as: Monoamine Oxidase Type B (MAO-B) Inhibitor; Antiparkinsonian agent.
References
- Rasagiline clinician-authored medicine recordMedGuideGlobal · Global · accessed 2026-08-07 · source 1
- Rasagiline Tablet — Prescribing Information (DailyMed)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · United States · accessed 2026-08-07 · source 2
- Rasagiline — patient drug information (MedlinePlus)U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
- RASAGILINE — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA ANDA210150)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
- rasagiline — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 134748)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 5
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient rasagiline names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Azilect1 mg, .5 mg · teva neuroscience, inc.
Canada
- AZILECT