Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Rasagiline, also marketed as Azilect, is a very effective drug used to treat this disorder.
It is related to selegiline and has been shown to improve motor symptoms with a single daily dose.
- Rasagiline.
- According to its data sheet.
- Is indicated for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
- Both in motor therapy and in adjuvant therapy.
- Associated with levodopa.
It is generally more effective as a single drug during the early stages of the disease and is associated with another drug when Parkinson’s disease is already more advanced.
It initially improves the motor clinical condition of the disease and subsequently improves the stiffness, bradykinesia and tremor characteristic of the more advanced stages. Its effectiveness and safety have been extensively tested in various studies.
As we said, rasagiline is also marketed as Azilect, administered orally, at doses of 1 mg once daily, with or without levodopa, does not require dosing adjustment and can be taken with or without food. used in combination with other antiparkinsonians.
Rasagiline is a selective and irreversible monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor (MAO-B). This enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of monoamines and the degradation of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine.
Thus, rasagiline blocks dopamine metabolism, prolonging its action in synaptic space and increasing its concentration in the nigro-striated segments of the brain and improving motor function.
In addition, rasagiline has a very potent neuroprotective effect, which is independent of its main mechanism of action and is due to a metabolite, aminoindane, which also has antiparkinsonian activity, which acts on intracellular signaling pathways associated with apoptosis. .
Although chemically similar to selegiline, it differs by metabolizing amphetamine derivatives, so it has a lower risk of adverse cardiovascular effects.
Some studies show that it is more powerful; the problem, in many cases, is that it is also more expensive.
In general, rasagiline has a very good tolerance profile, its side effects are neither severe nor very intense, in studies conducted there were no very high rates of abandonment of treatment by side effects.
In addition, the side effects of rasagiline depend on its form of administration, so the most common side effects when administered alone are:
However, when administered in combination with levodopa, the most common side effects are:
Rasagiline should not be used in combination with antidepressants, as serious side effects may occur. This has already happened with medications such as fluoxetine or fluvoxamine.
In this regard, rasagiline administration should not be associated with drugs of the following groups:
It should also not be used with cough decongestants or suppressants such as dextrometorphane. Therefore, during treatment with rasagiline, medicines to eliminate mucus should be avoided, as they are usually among these compounds.
In addition, it should be administered with caution in patients with hepatic impairment or pathology, being necessary to take care of the function of this organ during treatment as it is a drug that is rapidly absorbed and metabolized in the liver by cytochrome P450.