Rasagiline for Parkinson's disease

About rasagiline for Parkinson's disease

The cause of Malattia di Parkinson is still unknown but the symptoms of tremor, stiffness and slow movement are due to there being less of a chemical called dopamine in your brain. Rasagiline increases the amount of dopamine in the brain and so helps to relieve these symptoms.

You may be prescribed rasagiline on its own as a treatment for Parkinson's disease. It is also used alongside other treatments which contain a medicine called levodopa. When a dose of levodopa starts to wear off, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease can return. This is known as an 'end-of-dose fluctuation'. Taking rasagiline helps to prevent this problem.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking rasagiline it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Se sei incinta, stai cercando di avere un bambino o stai allattando.

• Se hai un problema con il funzionamento del tuo fegato.

• Se stai assumendo altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione medica, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about rasagiline and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take rasagiline tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. Take one tablet a day. Try to take the tablets at the same time of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take them.

• Puoi prendere le compresse prima o dopo i pasti.

• Se dimentichi di prendere una dose, prendila appena te ne ricordi. Se non te ne ricordi fino al giorno successivo, salta la dose dimenticata. Non prendere due dosi insieme per compensare una dose dimenticata.

• Cerca di mantenere i tuoi appuntamenti regolari con il tuo medico. Questo è per permettere al tuo medico di controllare i tuoi progressi.

• As your condition improves and your body movements become easier, be careful not to overdo physical activities. You should increase your activity gradually to allow your body to adjust to any changes in balance, circulation and co-ordination.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take alongside this medicine. Rasagiline should not be taken with medicines containing sympathomimetics. These are present in some remedies for coughs and colds, and in decongestant nasal sprays and tablets.

• If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking rasagiline.

• Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems and your doctor will want you to reduce your dose gradually if this is necessary. Do not stop taking this medicine without speaking with your doctor first.

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

Rarely, rasagiline may cause people to have impulsive thoughts or cravings which are difficult to resist. This could include excessive shopping or spending, gambling or an increased sex drive. Let your doctor know if you or your family/carer notice any new behaviours which cause concern.

Se si verificano altri sintomi che ritieni possano essere dovuti a questo medicinale, parla con il tuo medico o farmacista.

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.