Rasagiline (
Azilect) is a novel, selective, irreversible second-generation inhibitor of
monoamine oxidase type B (
MAO-B). It is administered orally once daily and is approved in the US, Canada, Mexico, Israel and the EU for use as monotherapy and as adjunct
therapy in the treatment of
Parkinson's disease. Results of well designed clinical studies indicate that
rasagiline is effective as initial monotherapy and improves Parkinson's symptomatology in patients with early
Parkinson's disease. In addition, when administered in conjunction with
levodopa, in patients with moderate to advanced disease and motor fluctuations,
rasagiline reduces mean daily 'off' time and increases daily 'on' time without troublesome
dyskinesias, compared with controls.
Rasagiline is generally well tolerated as monotherapy and adjunctive
therapy and is administered once daily. Thus,
rasagiline, administered as a simple and convenient dosage regimen, is a well tolerated and effective option for monotherapy in patients with early
Parkinson's disease and for adjunctive
therapy in patients with moderate to advanced disease.