Azilect (rasagiline) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for Parkinson’s disease in adults. Azilect comes as a tablet that’s typically taken once per day.

Azilect belongs to a drug class called monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors, sometimes called MAOIs. Azilect is available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Azilect, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Azilect, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Azilect provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Azilect, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

The information below describes Azilect’s typical dosages and other details about the drug.

Azilect form

Azilect comes as an oral tablet.

Azilect strengths

Azilect comes in two strengths: 0.5 milligrams (mg) and 1 mg.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for Parkinson’s disease

Doctors may prescribe Azilect to treat Parkinson’s disease. The drug is sometimes taken with other drugs to treat Parkinson’s disease.

If your doctor prescribes Azilect for your Parkinson’s disease, your starting dose will likely be either 0.5 mg once per day or 1 mg once per day.

If you’re not taking any other drugs specifically for Parkinson’s disease, your dosage will likely be 1 mg once daily.

If you are taking any drug that contains levodopa for Parkinson’s disease, such as carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet, Rytary) or carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone (Stalevo), your dosage will likely be 0.5 mg once daily.

Your doctor will monitor you for any side effects and to determine how well the drug is working for your Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Based on these factors, they may increase your dosage of Azilect to 1 mg once daily. This is the maximum dose of Azilect that’s recommended.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Long-term treatment

Azilect is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Azilect is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Before you start taking Azilect, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

The Azilect dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • how your body responds to Azilect
  • other medications you take
  • side effects you may have with Azilect
  • your liver function

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Azilect dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you take certain medications, such as certain antibiotics or antidepressants. These drugs can affect the level of Azilect in your body. To find out what drugs may interact with Azilect, see this article.

Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you have liver damage.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.

Azilect comes as an oral tablet that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, chew, or place the tablet in water. You may take your dose with or without food.

While taking an MAOI, including Azilect, it is best to avoid foods and beverages that are high in tyramine, as they can cause a rapid increase in your blood pressure. Some examples of high tyramine foods are aged cheeses and smoked meats and fish.

It may be helpful to take Azilect around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Azilect can work effectively.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have questions about how to use Azilect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Azilect in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Azilect, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you don’t take more Azilect than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose, and deaths from overdose have been reported.

Symptoms of an overdose

Overdose symptoms of Azilect can include:

  • a faint or dizzy feeling
  • severe headache
  • drowsiness
  • hallucinations
  • irritability or agitation
  • lockjaw
  • muscle spasms in your head, neck, or spine
  • rapid changes in blood pressure
  • slow or labored breathing
  • fever
  • cool, clammy skin
  • cold sweats

If you take more than the recommended amount of Azilect

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Azilect. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Azilect.

How long does it take for Azilect to start working?

Azilect starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body right away. But over time you may notice a decrease in your Parkinson’s tremors. Your doctor will continue to monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Azilect treatment.

When is the best time of day to take Azilect?

There’s no best time of day to take Azilect. But try to take your dose at the same time each day. This allows steady levels of the drug to stay in your body to help treat your Parkinson’s disease.

Azilect can cause drowsiness in some people. If you notice drowsiness while taking Azilect, you can take it at night.

What is the recommended maximum dosage of Azilect?

The maximum dosage of Azilect that’s recommended is 1 mg per day. No additional benefits are seen with doses larger than 1 mg. For details about Azilect dosages, see the “Azilect dosage” section above.

If you have questions or concerns about your dosage of Azilect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If it seems like you need a higher dosage, ask your doctor whether a dosage increase is right for you. Do not increase your dosage unless your doctor recommends doing so. Taking too much can be harmful. See the “Azilect and overdose” section above.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Azilect for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Azilect without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Azilect that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Azilect. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.