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Rasagiline

MAO Inhibitor · Antiparkinsonian

MAO InhibitorAntiparkinsonian
CDSCO approved
EXCRETION
not curated
INTERACTIONS
12 major
incl. contraindicated
PREGNANCY
not curated
Top interactionssee all 12
  • AlmotriptanContraindicatedTextbookG&G 14e · p293, p302
  • RizatriptanContraindicatedTextbookG&G 14e · p293, p302
  • SumatriptanContraindicatedTextbookG&G 14e · p293, p302
  • SympathomimeticsContraindicatedTextbookG&G 14e

Mechanism

Rasagiline is a monoamine-oxidase B inhibitor.

Indications

Parkinson's diseaseAdjunct to co-beneldopa or co-careldopa for 'end-of-dose' fluctuations in Parkinson's diseaseMonotherapy in early PDAdjunctive therapy to significantly reduce levodopa-related wearing-off symptoms in advanced PDParkinson's disease (therapeutic effect similar to selegiline)

Dosing

Adult
1 mg daily by mouth

Side effects

Common
arthralgiaarthritisconjunctivitisdepressiondermatitisdry mouthfall
Serious
  • Impulse control disorders

Drug interactions

Almotriptan
Contraindicated
Textbook

Increased risk of adverse effects from almotriptan, including serotonin syndrome.

Almotriptan is contraindicated in patients who have taken an MAO inhibitor within the preceding 2 weeks.

Source: G&G 14e · p293, p302

Rizatriptan
Contraindicated
Textbook

Increased risk of adverse effects from rizatriptan, including serotonin syndrome.

Rizatriptan is contraindicated in patients who have taken an MAO inhibitor within the preceding 2 weeks.

Source: G&G 14e · p293, p302

Sumatriptan
Contraindicated
Textbook

Increased risk of adverse effects from sumatriptan, including serotonin syndrome.

Sumatriptan is contraindicated in patients who have taken an MAO inhibitor within the preceding 2 weeks.

Source: G&G 14e · p293, p302

Sympathomimetics
Contraindicated
Textbook

Potentially life-threatening elevation of blood pressure (hypertensive crisis).

Avoid concurrent use of MAOIs and medications containing sympathomimetic compounds.

Source: G&G 14e

Tyramine Containing Foods
Contraindicated
Textbook

Marked increases in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis).

Patients on MAOIs must avoid foods containing high levels of tyramine, such as soy products, dried meats and sausages, dried fruits, home-brewed and tap beers, red wine, pickled or fermented foods, and aged cheeses.

Source: G&G 14e

Zolmitriptan
Contraindicated
Textbook

Increased risk of adverse effects from zolmitriptan, including serotonin syndrome.

Zolmitriptan is contraindicated in patients who have taken an MAO inhibitor within the preceding 2 weeks.

Source: G&G 14e · p293, p302

5ht Reuptake Inhibiting Antidepressants
Severe
Textbook

Serotonin syndrome, characterized by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, myoclonus, tremors, autonomic instability, confusion, irritability, and agitation, which can progress to coma and death.

SSRIs should not be started until at least 14 days following discontinuation of treatment with an irreversible MAOI. For all SSRIs except fluoxetine, at least 14 days should pass prior to beginning treatment with an MAOI following the end of SSRI treatment. For fluoxetine, at least 5 weeks should pass. For venlafaxine, a 7-day interval is considered safe between ending MAOI therapy and starting venlafaxine. For duloxetine, a 5-day waiting period is needed before beginning MAOI treatment after ending duloxetine.

Source: G&G 14e

Albuterol
Severe
Textbook

Increased risk of adverse cardiovascular effects.

At least 2 weeks should elapse between the use of MAO inhibitors and administration of β2 agonists or other sympathomimetics.

Source: G&G 14e · p264

Altretamine
Severe
Textbook

Severe, life-threatening orthostatic hypotension.

Not specified, but implies avoidance due to severe, life-threatening effect.

Source: G&G 14e · p1349

Anticholinergic Antiparkinsonian Drugs
Severe
Textbook

Delirium may occur.

Source: KDT 7e · p121

Bitolterol
Severe
Textbook

Increased risk of adverse cardiovascular effects.

At least 2 weeks should elapse between the use of MAO inhibitors and administration of β2 agonists or other sympathomimetics.

Source: G&G 14e · p264

Fenoterol
Severe
Textbook

Increased risk of adverse cardiovascular effects.

At least 2 weeks should elapse between the use of MAO inhibitors and administration of β2 agonists or other sympathomimetics.

Source: G&G 14e · p264

Related guidelines

Other MAO Inhibitor drugs

Ask House about Rasagiline

Continue into a citation-backed clinical answer with the drug context already attached.

Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e, Katzung, BNF·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team