Azilect

What Is Azilect?

Azilect^® (rasagiline mesylate) is a prescription medication approved to treat Parkinson's disease. It can be used alone or in combination with carbidopa-levodopa medications, such as Sinemet^®, Sinemet^® CR, Parcopa^®, or Stalevo^®.

 

 

Who Makes It?

Azilect is made by Teva Neuroscience, Inc.

 

How Does Azilect Work?

This medication belongs to a class of medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

 

Dopamine deficiency, caused by a loss of dopamine-producing cells in certain parts of the brain, may be responsible for many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. An enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO) breaks down monoamine chemicals, including dopamine. By inhibiting MAO enzymes, Azilect helps increase the amount of dopamine that the brain can use, which helps relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

 

There are two types of MAO: type A and B. Although there is some MAO-A in the brain, it is found primarily in the digestive tract. MAO-B is the main form in the brain and is also found in blood platelets. Although Azilect is "selective" for MAO-B, it does inhibit MAO-A to some extent, especially at higher doses. Unfortunately, MAO-A is responsible for breaking down dietary tyramine, an amino acid that affects blood pressure. Any medication that inhibits MAO-A stops the body's ability to break down tyramine and can cause a person's tyramine levels to be too high, which can be extremely dangerous. Because tyramine is found in many foods and beverages, people taking MAOI medications must follow a strict diet (see Azilect Food Interactions for more information).