AZILECT 1 mg tablets
Rasagiline
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
- If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
- 1. What AZILECT is and what it is used for
- 2. Before you take AZILECT
- 3. How to take AZILECT
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store AZILECT
- 6. Further information
What Azilect Is And What It Is Used For
AZILECT is used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It can be used together with or without levodopa (another medicine that is used to treat Parkinson’s disease).
With Parkinson’s disease, there is a loss of cells that produce dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain involved in movement control. AZILECT helps to increase and sustain levels of dopamine in the brain.
Before You Take Azilect
Do not take AZILECT
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to rasagiline or any of the other ingredients of AZILECT.
- if you have severe liver problems.
Do not take the following medicines while taking AZILECT:
- monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (e.g. for treatment of depression or Parkinson’s disease, or used for any other indication), including medicinal and natural products without prescription e.g. St. John's Wort.
- pethidine (a strong pain killer).
You must wait at least 14 days after stopping AZILECT treatment and starting treatment with MAO inhibitors or pethidine.
Take special care with AZILECT
- if you have mild to moderate liver problems
- You should speak with your doctor about any suspicious skin changes.
Children
AZILECT is not recommended for use under the age of 18.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without prescription or if you are smoking or intend to stop smoking.
Ask your doctor for advice before taking any of the following medicines together with AZILECT:
- Certain antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, selective serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants)
- the antibiotic ciprofloxacin used against infections
- the cough suppressant dextromethorphan
- sympathomimetics such as those present in eye drops, nasal and oral decongestants and cold medicine containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine
The use of AZILECT together with the antidepressants containing fluoxetine or fluvoxamine should be avoided.
If you are starting treatment with AZILECT, you should wait at least 5 weeks after stopping fluoxetine treatment.
If you are starting treatment with fluoxetine or fluvoxamine, you should wait at least 14 days after stopping AZILECT treatment.
Taking AZILECT with food and drink
AZILECT may be taken with or without food.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. Ask your doctor for advice prior to driving or using machines.
How To Take Azilect
Always take AZILECT exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The usual dose of AZILECT is 1 tablet of 1 mg taken by mouth once daily. AZILECT may be taken with or without food.
If you take more AZILECT than you should
If you think that you may have taken too many AZILECT tablets, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Take the AZILECT carton/bottle with you to show the doctor or pharmacist.
If you forget to take AZILECT
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Take the next dose normally, when it is time to take it.
If you stop taking AZILECT
Do not stop taking AZILECT without first talking to your doctor.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, AZILECT can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The following side effects have been reported in placebo controlled clinical trials:
The frequency of possible side effects listed below is defined using the following convention:
Very common (affects more than 1 user in 10)
Common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100)
Uncommon (affects 1 to 10 users in 1,000)
Rare (affects 1 to 10 users in 10,000)
Very rare (affects less than 1 user in 10,000)
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
Very common
- abnormal movements (dyskinesia)
- headache
Common:
- abdominal pain
- fall
- allergy
- fever
- flu (influenza)
- general feeling of being unwell (malaise)
- neck pain
- chest pain (angina pectoris)
- low blood pressure when rising to a standing position with symptoms like dizziness/light-headedness (orthostatic hypotension)
- decreased appetite
- constipation
- dry mouth
- nausea and vomiting
- flatulence
- abnormal results of blood tests (leucopenia)
- joint pain (arthralgia)
- musculoskeletal pain
- joint inflammation (arthritis)
- numbness and muscle weakness of the hand (carpal tunnel syndrome)
- decreased weight
- abnormal dreams
- difficulty in muscular co-ordination (balance disorder)
- depression
- dizziness (vertigo)
- prolonged muscle contractions (dystonia)
- runny nose (rhinitis)
- irritation of the skin (dermatitis)
- rash
- bloodshot eyes (conjunctivitis)
- urinary urgency
Uncommon:
- stroke (cerebrovascular accident)
- heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- blistering rash (vesiculobullous rash)
In addition, skin cancer was reported in around 1% of patients in the placebo controlled clinical trials.
Nevertheless, scientific evidence suggests that Parkinson’s disease, and not any medicine in particular, is associated with a higher risk of skin cancer (not exclusively melanoma). You should speak with your doctor about any suspicious skin changes.
Parkinson's disease is associated with symptoms of hallucinations and confusion.
In post marketing experience these symptoms have also been observed in Parkinson's disease patients treated with AZILECT.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
How To Store Azilect
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use AZILECT after the expiry date which is stated on the carton, bottle or blister. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 25°C.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Further Information
What AZILECT contains
- The active substance is rasagiline. Each tablet contains 1 mg rasagiline (as mesilate).
- The other ingredients are mannitol, colloidal anhydrous silica, maize starch, pregelatinised maize starch, stearic acid, talc.
What AZILECT looks like and contents of the pack
AZILECT tablets are presented as white to off-white, round, flat, bevelled tablets, debossed with “GIL” and “1” underneath on one side and plain on the other side.
The tablets are available in blister packs of 7, 10, 28, 30, 100 and 112 tablets or in a bottle containing 30 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Manufacturer
For any information about this medicinal product, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:
United Kingdom
This leaflet was last approved in November 2009
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