From the FDA Drug Label
Rasagiline tablets, a monoamine oxidase (MAO)-B inhibitor (MAOI), is indicated for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (1)
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Monotherapy: Rasagiline tablets 1 mg once daily (2.1) • As adjunct without levodopa: Rasagiline tablets 1 mg once daily (2.1) • As adjunct to levodopa: Rasagiline tablets 0. 5 mg once daily. Increase dose to 1 mg daily as needed for sufficient clinical response (2.1)
Rasagiline in Parkinson’s disease:
- Indication: Rasagiline is indicated for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
- Dosage: The recommended dosage is 1 mg once daily for monotherapy or as an adjunct without levodopa, and 0.5 mg once daily as an adjunct to levodopa, with the option to increase to 1 mg daily as needed.
- Key points:
- Rasagiline is a selective, irreversible MAO-B inhibitor.
- It works by increasing extracellular levels of dopamine in the striatum.
- The precise mechanisms of action are unknown, but MAO-B inhibitory activity is believed to play a role.
- Rasagiline can be used without dietary tyramine restriction, but certain foods with high tyramine content may cause severe hypertension. 1 1
From the Research
Rasagiline is a recommended treatment for Parkinson's disease, with a typical dosage of 1 mg once daily, due to its efficacy in improving motor symptoms and quality of life, as demonstrated in studies such as 2.
Key Points
- Rasagiline works as a monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor, preventing the breakdown of dopamine in the brain and thereby increasing dopamine levels to improve motor symptoms.
- It can be used as monotherapy in early Parkinson's disease or as an adjunct to levodopa in more advanced disease, where it helps reduce "off" periods when medication effectiveness wanes.
- Common side effects include headache, joint pain, and sometimes mild nausea, and patients should inform their healthcare provider about all medications they take, as rasagiline has important drug interactions, particularly with certain antidepressants, opioids, and other Parkinson's medications.
- Unlike selegiline (another MAO-B inhibitor), rasagiline doesn't metabolize to amphetamine derivatives, potentially offering advantages regarding sleep disturbances and cardiovascular effects.
Efficacy and Safety
- Studies such as 3 and 4 have demonstrated the efficacy of rasagiline in improving motor symptoms and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease.
- Rasagiline has been shown to be well-tolerated, with a low incidence of cognitive and behavioral adverse events, as reported in studies such as 5.
Clinical Use
- Rasagiline is an effective option for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, and its use should be considered in patients with early or advanced disease, as recommended in studies such as 2.
- Patients should be aware of potential dietary restrictions and drug interactions, and should inform their healthcare provider about all medications they take.