rasagiline hemitartrate at a glance
Medicine class
Selective, irreversible monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor
Usual role
Treats Parkinson’s symptoms alone or with levodopa
Food
May be taken with or without food
Driving
Do not drive if drowsy or affected by sudden sleep
What is rasagiline hemitartrate used for?
The selected product is licensed for adults with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.
Used alone, without levodopa.
Used with levodopa in people experiencing end-of-dose symptom fluctuations.
How does rasagiline hemitartrate work?
Rasagiline irreversibly inhibits monoamine oxidase-B, an enzyme that breaks down dopamine in the brain. This increases dopamine availability in movement-related brain pathways and can improve Parkinson’s motor symptoms.
How to take rasagiline hemitartrate
Swallow the tablet by mouth and follow the dispensing label. It can be taken with or without food. Do not stop it without speaking to the prescriber. If swallowing becomes difficult, seek prompt review; tablets can be crushed and mixed with water or soft food under professional direction, but this is off-label.
Tell healthcare professionals that Parkinson’s medicines should not be unnecessarily delayed or omitted.
Do not drive or operate machinery if rasagiline causes drowsiness or sudden sleep.
rasagiline hemitartrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Dizziness or light-headedness, including on standing
- Involuntary movements, particularly with levodopa
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort or constipation
- Dry mouth
- Falls or balance problems
- Hallucinations or abnormal dreams
- Muscle, neck or joint pain
Get urgent medical advice
- Agitation, confusion, fever, sweating, tremor or muscle stiffness suggesting serotonin syndrome
- Unexpected sleep episodes or severe daytime drowsiness
- New compulsive gambling, spending, sexual or other impulse-control behaviour
- Chest pain, stroke symptoms or markedly raised blood pressure
- A new or changing suspicious skin lesion
rasagiline hemitartrate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are unavailable, so the product information advises avoiding rasagiline during pregnancy as a precaution. Anyone pregnant, planning pregnancy or becoming pregnant while taking it should contact their Parkinson’s specialist or prescriber to review treatment.
rasagiline hemitartrate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether rasagiline enters human milk. It may suppress prolactin and therefore reduce milk production. Breastfeeding requires an individual specialist assessment of maternal treatment needs, feeding benefits and possible infant risk.
rasagiline hemitartrate interactions
Check prescribed, pharmacy-bought and herbal products before use because some combinations are contraindicated or require specialist review.
Other MAO inhibitors, including selegiline and St John’s wort
Contraindicated because combined MAO inhibition can cause a hypertensive crisis.
Pethidine
Contraindicated because serious central nervous system reactions can occur.
Antidepressants
Some combinations increase serotonin-syndrome risk; fluoxetine and fluvoxamine should be avoided and other antidepressants require caution.
Common questions about rasagiline hemitartrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is rasagiline hemitartrate used for?
It treats adults with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, either alone or alongside levodopa when symptoms fluctuate as levodopa wears off.
How does rasagiline hemitartrate help Parkinson’s symptoms?
It blocks MAO-B, reducing dopamine breakdown and increasing dopamine availability in movement-related brain pathways.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.