Prescription medication · MAO-B Inhibitor
rasagiline
Also sold as Azilect. Rasagiline is used to treat Parkinson's disease.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 3,152
- FDA reportsLightly reported
- 7
- InteractionsFew interactions
- 97% less
- Generic vs brandHuge savings
- $36.83
- Brand price (NADAC)
What the data shows
rasagiline (Azilect) is a prescription MAO-B Inhibitor, among the least-reported drugs the FDA tracks (3,152 FDA reports), whose generic costs a fraction of the brand (about 97% less).
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
rasagiline (Azilect) is a prescription MAO-B Inhibitor. Rasagiline is used to treat Parkinson's disease.
Rasagiline (Azilect) is a medicine used to treat Parkinson's disease. It helps to improve motor control and reduce symptoms like tremors and stiffness.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$36.83/unit
Generic Price
$1.03/unit
Generic Savings
97%
Generic Available
Yes (9 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Rasagiline is used to treat Parkinson's disease.
Common side effects
Flu-like symptoms, Joint pain, Depression
Key warnings
Rasagiline can cause high blood pressure.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from rasagiline's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Rasagiline belongs to a class of drugs called MAO-B inhibitors. It works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals help to control movement and reduce Parkinson's symptoms.
How to Take It
Take rasagiline tablets once a day. If you are not taking levodopa, the usual dose is 1 mg daily. If you are taking levodopa, your doctor may start you on 0.5 mg daily, and increase to 1 mg if needed. If you are taking ciprofloxacin, do not take more than 0.5 mg of rasagiline daily.
This is a plain-language summary of rasagiline's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known if rasagiline can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if rasagiline passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
This is a plain-language summary of rasagiline's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of rasagiline, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of rasagiline's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store rasagiline tablets at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 3,152 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for rasagiline, by number of reports
- Falling
Falling
343 reports
- Seeing or hearing things that are not there
Seeing or hearing things that are not there
326 reports
- Uncontrolled movements
Uncontrolled movements
276 reports
- Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease
216 reports
- Feeling lightheaded
Feeling lightheaded
205 reports
- Shaking
Shaking
204 reports
- Death
Death
200 reports
- Confusion
Confusion
178 reports
- Interaction with another medicine
Interaction with another medicine
167 reports
- Condition getting worse
Condition getting worse
157 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for rasagiline each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where rasagiline sits
rasagiline has more FDA adverse-event reports than 19% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is rasagiline; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 3,152 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2007–2025.
Total Reports
3,152
Reports Mentioning Death
358
11.4% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
971
Top Indication
Parkinson^S Disease
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FALL | 343 |
| 2 | HALLUCINATION | 326 |
| 3 | DYSKINESIA | 276 |
| 5 | PARKINSON^S DISEASE | 216 |
| 6 | DIZZINESS | 205 |
| 7 | TREMOR | 204 |
| 8 | DEATH | 200 |
| 9 | CONFUSIONAL STATE | 178 |
| 10 | DRUG INTERACTION | 167 |
| 11 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 157 |
| 12 | CONSTIPATION | 154 |
| 13 | GAIT DISTURBANCE | 145 |
| 14 | NAUSEA | 141 |
| 15 | FATIGUE | 138 |
| 16 | SOMNOLENCE | 136 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Rasagiline can cause high blood pressure. It can also cause serotonin syndrome, a serious condition, especially when taken with antidepressants. You may fall asleep suddenly or feel very drowsy. Rasagiline can also cause or worsen uncontrolled movements, hallucinations, and compulsive behaviors. Tell your doctor if you experience any of these side effects.
Known Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Meperidine: Risk of serotonin syndrome (4, 7.1) Dextromethorphan: Risk of psychosis or bizarre behavior (4, 7.2) MAO inhibitors: Risk of non-selective MAO inhibition and hypertensive crisis (4, 7.3) 7.1 Meperidine Serious, sometimes fatal reactions have been precipitated with concomitant use of meperidine (e.g., Demerol and other tradenames) and MAO inhibitors including selective MAO-B inhibitors [see Contraindications (4)] .
Mechanism: Combining these medications can cause a life-threatening reaction called serotonin syndrome, where a brain chemical reaches dangerously high levels. This can lead to serious or even fatal health problems.
What to do: Do not take these two medications together. Talk to your doctor about safer pain relief options that do not interact with your other medicine.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Meperidine: Risk of serotonin syndrome (4, 7.1) Dextromethorphan: Risk of psychosis or bizarre behavior (4, 7.2) MAO inhibitors: Risk of non-selective MAO inhibition and hypertensive crisis (4, 7.3) 7.1 Meperidine Serious, sometimes fatal reactions have been precipitated with concomitant use of meperidine (e.g., Demerol and other tradenames) and MAO inhibitors including selective MAO-B inhibitors [see Contraindications (4)] . 7.2 Dextromethorphan The concomitant use of rasagiline tablets and dextromethorphan was not allowed in clinical studies. The combination of MAO...
Mechanism: Taking these drugs at the same time can cause severe changes in your brain chemistry. This can lead to unusual behavior, confusion, or a loss of touch with reality.
What to do: Avoid using these medications together. Check the labels of over-the-counter cough medicines to make sure they do not contain dextromethorphan.
Product Clinical Comment on Concomitant Use [See Contraindications (4.1)] ; Predominant Effect/Risk [Hypertensive Reaction (HR) [See Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] ; or Serotonin Syndrome (SS) [See Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] ] Altretamine Use with caution If not otherwise specified in this table, consider avoiding concomitant use (see also information on medication-free intervals , use agent at the lowest appropriate dose, monitor for effects of the interaction, advise the patient to report potential effects, and be prepared to discontinue the agent and treat effects of the...
Mechanism: Both drugs increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain and body. Taking them together can lead to dangerously high blood pressure or a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
What to do: You should generally avoid taking these two medicines together. If they must be used, your doctor will monitor you very closely for signs of high blood pressure or confusion.
7.6 Ciprofloxacin or Other CYP1A2 Inhibitors Rasagiline plasma concentrations may increase up to 2 fold in patients using concomitant ciprofloxacin and other CYP1A2 inhibitors. Patients taking concomitant ciprofloxacin or other CYP1A2 inhibitors should not exceed a dose of rasagiline tablets 0.5 mg once daily [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
Mechanism: Ciprofloxacin blocks the enzyme that breaks down rasagiline, which can double the amount of medicine in your body.
What to do: You should not take more than 0.5 mg of rasagiline once a day if you are also taking ciprofloxacin.
7.8 Dopaminergic Antagonists It is possible that dopamine antagonists, such as antipsychotics or metoclopramide, could diminish the effectiveness of rasagiline.
Mechanism: These two drugs work against each other in the brain, which can stop rasagiline from doing its job.
What to do: Your doctor may need to check if your treatment is still working or consider changing your medications.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
Can I take rasagiline with other medicines?
Can I eat anything I want while taking rasagiline?
What should I do if I feel dizzy while taking rasagiline?
Can rasagiline cause me to fall?
Can rasagiline cause hallucinations?
What if rasagiline doesn't seem to be working?
Can I stop taking rasagiline suddenly?
Does rasagiline affect my blood pressure?
Can rasagiline make me sleepy?
What are the symptoms of serotonin syndrome?
What are the common side effects of rasagiline?
Does rasagiline interact with other medications?
What drug class is rasagiline?
Is there a generic version of rasagiline?
Is rasagiline safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in MAO-B Inhibitor
Other drugs grouped near rasagiline - same-class peers and common alternatives.
acamprosate
Campral
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alprazolam
Xanax
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a medication that can help you with anxiety and panic disorders.
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amitriptyline
Elavil
Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression.
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amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Adderall, Adderall XR
Adderall XR is a stimulant medicine.
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aripiprazole
Abilify
Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems.
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for rasagiline
The FDA label for rasagiline (sold under brand names such as Azilect) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the MAO-B Inhibitor class. Rasagiline is used to treat Parkinson's disease. Official labeling lists 21 commonly reported side effects, including Flu-like symptoms, Joint pain, Depression.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 3,152 voluntary reports. The database also lists 7 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $1.03 versus $36.83 for the brand - a 97% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: November 14, 2025
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages