Azilect (rasagiline) can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. More common side effects include headache and joint pain. If side effects become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor about coping tips or other treatment options.

Azilect is used in adults to treat Parkinson’s disease.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Azilect can cause.

The following lists contain a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Azilect in studies. Side effects of this drug may vary depending on whether it’s taken alone or with other medications for Parkinson’s disease.

More common side effects in people taking Azilect alone include:

More common side effects in people taking Azilect with other drugs for Parkinson’s disease include:

Mild side effects have been reported with Azilect. These may vary depending on whether Azilect is taken alone or with other medications for Parkinson’s disease.

When taking Azilect alone

Mild side effects in people taking Azilect alone include:

When taking Azilect with other drugs for Parkinson’s disease

Mild side effects in people taking Azilect with other medications for Parkinson’s disease include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop Azilect treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Azilect may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Azilect may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Azilect’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Azilect, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Tips for managing side effects” section.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Azilect and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Azilect can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Azilect treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Azilect, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

There may be things you can do to help make certain Azilect side effects more manageable. If you have ongoing, worsening, or bothersome side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest tips for managing them or recommend other available treatment options for your condition.

Dyskinesia

Dyskinesia (involuntary movements) was a common side effect in studies of Azilect. It most often occurred when Azilect was taken along with levodopa, another medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease.

Symptoms of dyskinesia may include twitching, wriggling, or fidgeting.

To help manage these symptoms, your doctor may adjust your levodopa dosage while you’re taking Azilect.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure was a less common side effect reported in studies of Azilect.

This risk may be greater if you already have high blood pressure. The risk may also increase if you eat foods high in a protein called tyramine. Examples include:

  • aged cheese
  • sourdough breads
  • pickled or fermented products, such as sauerkraut

To help reduce this risk, your doctor may recommend limiting foods that are high in tyramine. They may also advise you to monitor your blood pressure regularly.

Azilect may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Azilect (rasagiline) have any contraindications?

Yes, Azilect has certain contraindications. These are situations where the drug should not be taken because it may lead to harmful effects.

The contraindications for Azilect involve interactions with other medications or supplements. Due to these risks, your doctor may choose not to prescribe Azilect in certain situations. In other cases, they may recommend stopping another drug first to help avoid serious side effects.

Azilect should not be taken with medications that can raise the risk of serotonin syndrome. (This is a serious condition related to high levels of the brain chemical serotonin.) These include:

To reduce the risk of dangerous side effects, your doctor will usually wait at least 14 days after you’ve stopped Azilect before prescribing one of these medications.

You should also not take dextromethorphan (Delsym) during treatment with Azilect. This is due to the risk of psychosis or unusual behavior when these drugs are taken together.

If you have other questions about what to avoid during treatment with this medication, check out this Azilect interactions article or talk with your doctor.

Are there any long-term side effects of Azilect (rasagiline)?

Long-term side effects from Azilect are not common. This may refer to side effects that develop after taking the drug for a long time or those that last even after you stop taking the drug.

However, stopping Azilect suddenly after long-term use may cause serious side effects. These may include excessive sweating, very high fever, and muscle stiffness.

To lower this risk, your doctor may recommend gradually reducing your Azilect dosage instead of stopping the drug suddenly.

If you have other questions about long-term side effects of Azilect, talk with your doctor.

Before starting Azilect, discuss your health history with your doctor. This medication may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.