Rasagiline: Presentation And Indications

The precise mechanisms of action of rasagiline are not known today. It is believed that its effects may be related to its MAO-B inhibitory activity, leading to increased levels of extracellular dopamine.

Rasagiline is a drug that belongs to the family of irreversible inhibitors of the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO). It can be used as monotherapy or as an adjunct for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. When the disease is more advanced, it is used in combination with other drugs.

Although we will see this later and in more detail, it should be noted that rasagiline is selective for MAO type B as opposed to type A. This results in an increase in natural substances in the brain, such as monoamines.

On the other hand, this medication is in the form of tablets to be administered orally. Dosage is usually once a day, with or without food.

Rasagiline has better neuroprotective properties than other drugs used for the same indication, such as selegiline. The reason is that the latter drug is metabolized into a toxic substance and not rasagiline.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the nervous system. It is the second most common disease, after Alzheimer’s disease, it is part of movement disorders.

It is a disease characterized by the loss of neurons in the substantia nigra, a structure found in the middle part of the brain. When one loses substantia nigra, dopamine levels drop dramatically. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter necessary for transmitting information from the brain to the rest of the body for movement.

In this way, without having enough dopamine, which is one of the monoamines in the brain, this transmission is affected and, with it, the control of movements by the patient. All of this triggers a series of motor symptoms such as tremors at rest or stiffness.

What are the causes of Parkinson’s disease?

Although a number of factors are known to promote the development of this disorder, the exact cause of it is not yet known. Contributing factors include the following:

• Age : this is an obvious risk factor. The disease usually begins between the ages of 50 and 60. If it occurs before the age of 50, it is called early-onset Parkinson’s disease
• Genetics : 90% of Parkinson’s disease is unrelated to a genetic disorder. However, 15-25% of patients have a parent who has developed it
• Environmental factors : continuous consumption of well water or exposure to pesticides and herbicides may be risk factors for the development of this disease

How does rasagiline affect the body?

Rasagiline, as we have seen, is a drug that inhibits monoamine oxidase B. This enzyme is found in the mitochondria of nerve end cells in the body, especially in the brain, liver, and intestinal lining.

MAO regulates the breakdown of catecholamines, such as dopamine and serotonin, in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. In the brain, the predominant MAO is type B.

Today, the precise mechanisms of action of this drug are unknown. It is believed that its effects may be related to its MAO-B inhibitory activity. This would lead to an increase in the levels of extracellular dopamine.

The increase in dopamine concentrations and, therefore, dopaminergic activity is probably responsible for the beneficial effects of rasagiline observed in models of dopaminergic motor dysfunction.

Conclusion on rasagiline

Rasagiline is a medicine used to treat Parkinson’s disease. It comes in tablet form for oral administration. It is recommended to always take it at the same time, with or without food.

In addition, always follow your doctor’s instructions and consult him if you have any doubts. However, you should not reduce the dose or how often you take it yourself. Improper use of this medication can have serious health consequences.