What is Azilect: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Azilect overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Rasagiline Mesylate, Azilect

Generic Names:

  • Rasagiline Mesylate

Uses:

  • Treats Parkinson disease. This medicine is an MAOI.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antiparkinsonian

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Azilect used for?

What form(s) does Azilect come in

  • Tablet

What are common Azilect doses?

  • Tablet 0.5MG

  • Tablet 1MG

Common Azilect prescriptions

  • Azilect
    3000 tablets bottle

  • Azilect
    0.5mg tablet

  • Azilect
    1mg tablet

How to take Azilect

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Missed dose: Skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Missed dose: Skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

What to do if you miss a dose of Azilect

Azilect contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to rasagiline.

Azilect warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, high or low blood pressure, muscle problems, or a history of mental illness.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Serotonin syndrome (when used with antidepressant medicine)Low or high blood pressureUnusual changes in mood or behavior, compulsive behavior, hallucinationsPossible increased risk of skin cancer

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. It may even cause you to fall asleep without warning. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand up slowly if you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control, tremors, problems with balance or walking

Azilect interactions

  • You must avoid many other medicines while you are using rasagiline. These medicines used together could cause serious health problems, including death. Ask your doctor before you use any other medicine. You may need to wait 1 to 5 weeks before you can use the other medicine.

  • Do not use rasagiline if you have used an MAOI within the past 14 days. Do not use this medicine if you are using St John's wort, cyclobenzaprine, dextromethorphan, meperidine, methadone, propoxyphene, or tramadol.

  • Some other medicines that can interact with rasagiline include ciprofloxacin, metoclopramide, cough and cold medicines (such as dextromethorphan), medicine to treat depression or mental health issues (such as a TCA, SSRI, or SSNRI).

  • Avoid foods and drinks that are high in tyramine, because your blood pressure could get dangerously high. Your doctor should give you a complete list. In general, do not eat anything aged or fermented, such as most cheese, most alcohol, cured meat (such as salami), sauerkraut, and soy sauce. Check the expiration dates on packages. Tyramine levels get higher as food gets older or if it has not been refrigerated properly.

  • Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Azilect side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

  • Skin changes or growths

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Anxiety, restlessness, fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there

  • Extreme sleepiness or drowsiness

  • Confusion, unusual changes in mood or behavior, behaviors you cannot control

  • Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control, tremors, problems with balance or walking

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Joint or muscle pain

  • Mild nausea or vomiting, constipation, upset stomach

  • Weight loss