Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using Azilect?
Azilect contains the active ingredient rasagiline (as mesilate). Azilect is used to
treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It can be taken with or without dopamine
agonist or levodopa therapy.
2. What should I know before I use Azilect?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to rasagiline or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with Azilect and affect how it works.
4. How do I use Azilect?
The usual dose for Azilect is one tablet of 1 mg taken orally once a day.
Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water.
Azilect can be taken with or without food.
5. What should I know while using Azilect?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Azilect.
Tell your doctor if you notice any unusual skin lumps or moles which are new or have
changed.
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Things you should not do
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Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor.
Do not take Azilect to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
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Driving or using machines
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Do not drive, operate machinery or work at heights during treatment if you have fallen
asleep without warning, prior to the use of Azilect.
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Azilect
affects you.
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Drinking alcohol
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Be careful when drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine.]
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Looking after your medicine
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Store below 25°C
Keep Azilect in the blister pack until it is time to take it.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Active ingredient(s): Rasagiline (as mesilate)
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Azilect. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using Azilect.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using Azilect?
Azilect contains the active ingredient rasagiline (as mesilate). Azilect is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAO).
Azilect is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It can be taken with
or without dopamine agonist or levodopa therapy.
Parkinson’s disease is a condition of the brain that mainly affects body movement.
The three main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are:
Shaking (tremor)
Muscle stiffness
Slow and unsteady movement
In Parkinson’s disease, there is a loss of cells producing dopamine in certain areas
in the brain.
Azilect works by increasing and maintaining the level of dopamine in your brain which
will decrease symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
2. What should I know before I use Azilect?
Warnings
Do not use Azilect if:
you are allergic to rasagiline, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet.
If you have an allergic reaction you may get a skin rash, have difficulty in breathing,
get symptoms of hayfever or feel faint.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
you have a problem with your liver.
it is after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack. It may not work as well.
the packaging is torn or shows signs of having been tampered with.
you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist
for help.
you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Check with your doctor if you:
have a problem with your liver
if you smoke. Nicotine can affect the amount of rasagiline that is in your body.
You should speak with your doctor about any suspicious skin changes. Treatment with
AZILECT may possibly increase the risk of skin cancer.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
Children under 18 years
Azilect should not be given to children under 18 years of age as there is no specific
information about such use. Always ask your doctor before giving medicines to children.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives
or dyes.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
If you are already taking Azilect, do not take another medicine called:
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), whether used to treat depression, Parkinson’s
disease or any other condition
Other medicinal and natural products without prescription which have MAOI activity
(e.g. St. John's Wort)
pethidine, a strong pain killer
ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic used to treat infection
Wait, at least 14 days between stopping Azilect and starting your MAOI medicine or
pethidine
The following medicines require specific medical advice before being taken together
with Azilect:
medicines used to treat depression, anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive
disorder or pre-menstrual dysphoric disorders. Examples of such medicines include
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants
other medicines used to treat depression called fluoxetine and fluvoxamine.
Wait at least 5 weeks between stopping fluoxetine treatment and starting treatment
with Azilect, and 14 days between stopping Azilect treatment and starting treatment
with fluoxetine or fluvoxamine.
dextromethorphan, a medicine for cough.
substances with sympathomimetic activity such as those present in ‘cold and flu’ oral
tablets and nasal drops containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.
clozapine, a medicine used to treat schizophrenia.
other medicines used to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking this or any other
medicines.
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you take
Azilect.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect Azilect.
4. How do I use Azilect?
How much to take
The usual dose for Azilect is one tablet of 1 mg taken orally once a day.
Your doctor will tell you how much Azilect to take each day. Take the amount your
doctor tells you to.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may
differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
When to take Azilect
Take your medicine at about the same time each day. Taking it at the same time each
day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.
Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water.
Azilect can be taken with or without food.
If you forget to take Azilect
Azilect should be used regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose
at the usual time, and it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed
and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine
as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. This may increase the
chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some
hints.
If you use too much Azilect
If you think that you have used too much Azilect, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using Azilect?
Things you should do
Tell your doctor if you notice any unusual skin lumps or moles which are new or have
changed.
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking
Azilect, especially if you are being started on any new medicines.
Keep all of your doctor’s appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
become pregnant while taking Azilect.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Azilect.
Things you should not do
Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor.
Do not take Azilect to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not drive, operate machinery or work at heights during treatment if you have fallen
asleep without warning, prior to the use of Azilect.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get
up slowly. Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from a bed or chair, will help your
body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem continues
or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Scientific evidence suggests that Parkinson’s disease is associated with a higher
risk of skin cancer, (including melanoma). During the development (placebo-controlled
clinical trials), melanoma was observed in both Azilect- and placebo-treated patients
(around 0.5% vs 0.2% respectively). People with Parkinson’s disease, including those
taking Azilect, should undergo periodic examination of the skin.
Eating excessive amounts of foods rich in tyramine (eg. aged cheese, red wine) while
you are taking Azilect could very rarely cause an increase in your blood pressure
and should be avoided. If you do eat these foods while you are taking Azilect and
do not feel well, you should contact your treating doctor. Your treating doctor or
pharmacist can advise you on what foods are rich in tyramine and what your risk of
having a reaction may be.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Azilect
affects you.
Azilect may cause you to feel sleepy in the daytime during daily activities.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
Looking after your medicine
Store below 25°C
Keep Azilect in the blister pack until it is time to take it.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above ground is a good place to store
medicines.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Contact your doctor if you notice any suspicious skin changes because there may be
an increased risk of skin cancer (melanoma) with the use of this medicine.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription. It is not addictive.
What Azilect contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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1 mg of rasagiline (as rasagiline mesilate).t]
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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mannitol
colloidal anhydrous silica
maize starch
pregelatinised maize starch
stearic acid*
purified talc
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* vegetable origin
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What Azilect looks like
Azilect is a white to off-white, round, flat, bevelled tablet, debossed with “GIL”
and “1” underneath on one side
1mg (blister): AUST R 170172
1mg (bottle): AUST R 172457.
Who distributes Azilect
Teva Pharma Australia Pty Ltd
Level 1, 37 Epping Rd
Macquarie Park, NSW, 2113
Australia
Telephone: 1800 288 382
This leaflet was prepared in June 2021.
Azilect is the registered trademark of Teva.