rasagiline

Rasagiline tablets are indicated for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Rasagiline tablets, a monoamine oxidase (MAO)-B inhibitor (MAOI), is indicated for the treatment of Parkinson's disease

• Monotherapy: Rasagiline tablets 1 mg once daily
• As adjunct without levodopa: Rasagiline tablets 1 mg once daily
• As adjunct to levodopa: Rasagiline tablets 0.5 mg once daily. Increase dose to 1 mg daily as needed for sufficient clinical response
• Patients taking ciprofloxacin or other CYP1A2 inhibitors: Rasagiline tablets 0.5 mg once daily
• Patients with mild hepatic impairment: Rasagiline tablets 0.5 mg once daily. Rasagiline tablets should not be used in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment 2.1 General Dosing Recommendations When rasagiline tablets are prescribed as monotherapy or as adjunct therapy in patients not taking levodopa, patients may start rasagiline tablets at the recommended dose of 1 mg administered orally once daily. In patients taking levodopa, with or without other PD drugs (e.g., dopamine agonist, amantadine, anticholinergics) the recommended initial dose of rasagiline tablets is 0.5 mg once daily. If the patient tolerates the daily 0.5 mg dose, but a sufficient clinical response is not achieved, the dose may be increased to 1 mg once daily. When rasagiline tablets are used in combination with levodopa, a reduction of the levodopa dose may be considered, based upon individual response. The recommended doses of rasagiline tablets should not be exceeded because of risk of hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ]. 2.2 Patients Taking Ciprofloxacin or Other CYP1A2 Inhibitors Patients taking concomitant ciprofloxacin or other CYP1A2 inhibitors should not exceed a dose of rasagiline tablets 0.5 mg once daily [see Warnings and Precautions , Drug Interactions , and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ]. 2.3 Patients with Hepatic Impairment Patients with mild hepatic impairment should not exceed a dose of rasagiline tablets 0.5 mg once daily. Rasagiline tablets should not be used in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment [see Warnings and Precautions , Use in Specific Populations , and Clinical Pharmacology ].

12.1 Mechanism of Action Rasagiline tablets are a selective, irreversible MAO-B inhibitor indicated for the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. The results of a clinical trial designed to examine the effects of rasagiline tablets on blood pressure when it is administered with increasing doses of tyramine indicates the functional selectivity can be incomplete when healthy subjects ingest large amounts of tyramine while receiving recommended doses of rasagiline tablets. The selectivity for inhibiting MAO-B diminishes in a dose-related manner. MAO, a flavin-containing enzyme, is classified into two major molecular species, A and B, and is localized in mitochondrial membranes throughout the body in nerve terminals, brain, liver and intestinal mucosa. MAO regulates the metabolic degradation of catecholamines and serotonin in the CNS and peripheral tissues. MAO-B is the major form in the human brain. In ex vivo animal studies in brain, liver, and intestinal tissues, rasagiline was shown to be a potent, irreversible monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) selective inhibitor. Rasagiline at the recommended therapeutic dose was also shown to be a potent and irreversible inhibitor of MAO-B in platelets. The precise mechanisms of action of rasagiline are unknown. One mechanism is believed to be related to its MAO-B inhibitory activity, which causes an increase in extracellular levels of dopamine in the striatum. The elevated dopamine level and subsequent increased dopaminergic activity are likely to mediate rasagiline's beneficial effects seen in models of dopaminergic motor dysfunction.

The following adverse reactions are described in more detail in the Warnings and Precautions section of the label:

• Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ]
• Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ]
• Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions ]
• Hypotension / Orthostatic Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions ]
• Dyskinesia [see Warnings and Precautions ]
• Hallucinations / Psychotic-Like Behavior [see Warnings and Precautions ]
• Impulse Control /Compulsive Behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions ]
• Withdrawal-Emergent Hyperpyrexia and Confusion [see Warnings and Precautions ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence 3% or greater than placebo):
• Rasagiline tablets monotherapy: flu syndrome, arthralgia, depression, dyspepsia
• Rasagiline tablets used as adjunct without levodopa: peripheral edema, fall, arthralgia, cough, and insomnia
• Rasagiline tablets used as adjunct to levodopa: dyskinesia, accidental injury, weight loss, postural hypotension, vomiting, anorexia, arthralgia, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, rash, abnormal dreams, fall, and tenosynovitis To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Macleods Pharma USA, Inc., at 1-888-943-3210 or 1-855-926-3384 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to the incidence of adverse reactions in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates of adverse reactions observed in practice. During the clinical development of rasagiline tablets, Parkinson’s disease patients received rasagiline tablets as initial monotherapy (Study 1) and as adjunct therapy (Study 2, Study 3, Study 4). As the populations in these studies differ, not only in the adjunct use of dopamine agonists or levodopa during rasagiline tablets treatment, but also in the severity and duration of their disease, the adverse reactions are presented separately for each study. Monotherapy Use of Rasagiline Tablets In Study 1, approximately 5% of the 149 patients treated with rasagiline tablets discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions compared to 2% of the 151 patients who received placebo. The only adverse reaction that led to the discontinuation of more than one patient was hallucinations. The most commonly observed adverse reactions in Study 1 (incidence in rasagiline tablets -treated patients 3% or greater than the incidence in placebo-treated patients) included flu syndrome, arthralgia, depression, and dyspepsia. Table 1 lists adverse reactions that occurred in 2% or greater of patients receiving rasagiline tablets as monotherapy and were numerically more frequent than in the placebo group in Study 1. Table 1: Adverse Reactions* in Study 1 Rasagiline Tablets 1 mg (N=149) Placebo (N=151) % of Patients % of Patients Headache 14 12 Arthralgia 7 4 Dyspepsia 7 4 Depression 5 2 Fall 5 3 Flu syndrome 5 1 Conjunctivitis 3 1 Fever 3 1 Gastroenteritis 3 1 Rhinitis 3 1 Arthritis 2 1 Ecchymosis 2 0 Malaise 2 0 Neck Pain 2 0 Paresthesia 2 1 Vertigo 2 1 *Incidence 2% or greater in rasagiline tablets 1 mg group and numerically more frequent than in placebo group There were no significant differences in the safety profile based on age or gender. Adjunct Use of Rasagiline Tablets Rasagiline tablets were studied as an adjunct therapy without levodopa (Study 2), or as an adjunct therapy to levodopa, with some patients also taking dopamine agonists, COMT inhibitors, anticholinergics, or amantadine (Study 3 and Study 4). In Study 2, approximately 8% of the 162 patients treated with rasagiline tablets discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions compared to 4% of the 164 patients who received placebo. Adverse reactions that led to the discontinuation of more than one patient were nausea and dizziness. The most commonly observed adverse reactions in Study 2 (incidence in rasagiline tablets -treated patients 3% or greater than incidence in placebo-treated patients) included peripheral edema, fall, arthralgia, cough, and insomnia. Table 2 lists adverse reactions that occurred in 2% or greater in patients receiving rasagiline tablets as adjunct therapy without levodopa and numerically more frequent than in the placebo group in Study 2. Table 2: Adverse Reactions* in Study 2 Rasagiline Tablets 1 mg (N=162) Placebo (N=164) % of Patients % of Patients Dizziness 7 6 Peripheral edema 7 4 Headache 6 4 Nausea 6 4 Fall 6 1 Arthralgia 5 2 Back pain 4 3 Cough 4 1 Insomnia 4 1 Upper respiratory tract infection 4 2 Orthostatic hypotension 3 1 *Incidence 2% or greater in rasagiline tablets 1 mg group and numerically more frequent than in placebo group There were no significant differences in the safety profile based on age or gender. In Study 3, adverse event reporting was considered more reliable than Study 4; therefore, only the adverse event data from Study 3 are presented below. In Study 3, approximately 9% of the 164 patients treated with rasagiline tablets 0.5 mg/day and 7% of the 149 patients treated with rasagiline tablets 1 mg/day discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions, compared to 6% of the 159 patients who received placebo. The adverse reactions that led to discontinuation of more than one rasagiline -treated patient were diarrhea, weight loss, hallucination, and rash. The most commonly observed adverse reactions in Study 3 (incidence in rasagiline tablets -treated patients 3% or greater than the incidence in placebo-treated patients) included dyskinesia, accidental injury, weight loss, postural hypotension, vomiting, anorexia, arthralgia, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, rash, abnormal dreams, fall and tenosynovitis. Table 3 lists adverse reactions that occurred in 2% or greater of patients treated with rasagiline tablets 1 mg/day and that were numerically more frequent than the placebo group in Study 3. Table 3: Adverse Reactions* in Study 3 Rasagiline Tablets 1 mg (N=149) Rasagiline Tablets 0.5 mg (N=164) Placebo (N=159) % of Patients % of Patients % of Patients Dyskinesia 18 18 10 Accidental injury 12 8 5 Nausea 12 10 8 Headache 11 8 10 Fall 11 12 8 Weight loss 9 2 3 Constipation 9 4 5 Postural hypotension 9 6 3 Arthralgia 8 6 4 Vomiting 7 4 1 Dry mouth 6 2 3 Rash 6 3 3 Somnolence 6 4 4 Abdominal pain 5 2 1 Anorexia 5 2 1 Diarrhea 5 7 4 Ecchymosis 5 2 3 Dyspepsia 5 4 4 Paresthesia 5 2 3 Abnormal dreams 4 1 1 Hallucinations 4 5 3 Ataxia 3 6 1 Dyspnea 3 5 2 Infection 3 2 2 Neck pain 3 1 1 Sweating 3 2 1 Tenosynovitis 3 1 0 Dystonia 3 2 1 Gingivitis 2 1 1 Hemorrhage 2 1 1 Hernia 2 1 1 Myasthenia 2 2 1 *Incidence 2% or greater in rasagiline tablets 1 mg group and numerically more frequent than in placebo group Several of the more common adverse reactions seemed dose-related, including weight loss, postural hypotension, and dry mouth. There were no significant differences in the safety profile based on age or gender. During all Parkinson’s disease phase 2/3 clinical trials, the long-term safety profile was similar to that observed with shorter duration exposure. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of rasagiline tablets. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Melanoma

• Meperidine: Risk of serotonin syndrome
• Dextromethorphan: Risk of psychosis or bizarre behavior
• MAO inhibitors: Risk of non-selective MAO inhibition and hypertensive crisis 7.1 Meperidine Serious, sometimes fatal reactions have been precipitated with concomitant use of meperidine (e.g., Demerol and other tradenames) and MAO inhibitors including selective MAO-B inhibitors [see Contraindications ]. 7.2 Dextromethorphan The concomitant use of rasagiline tablets and dextromethorphan was not allowed in clinical studies. The combination of MAO inhibitors and dextromethorphan has been reported to cause brief episodes of psychosis or bizarre behavior. Therefore, in view of rasagiline's MAO inhibitory activity, dextromethorphan is contraindicated for use with rasagiline tablets [see Contraindications ].

7.3 MAO Inhibitors Rasagiline tablets are contraindicated for use with other MAO inhibitors because of the increased risk of nonselective MAO inhibition that may lead to a hypertensive crisis [see Contraindications ]. 7.4 Sympathomimetic Medications The concomitant use of rasagiline tablets and sympathomimetic medications was not allowed in clinical studies. Severe hypertensive reactions have followed the administration of sympathomimetics and nonselective MAO inhibitors. Hypertensive crisis has been reported in patients taking the recommended dose of rasagiline tablets and sympathomimetic medications. Severe hypertension has been reported in patients taking the recommended dose of rasagiline tablets and ophthalmic drops containing sympathomimetic medications. Because rasagiline tablets are a selective MAOI, hypertensive reactions are not ordinarily expected with the concomitant use of sympathomimetic medications. Nevertheless, caution should be exercised when concomitantly using recommended doses of rasagiline tablets with any sympathomimetic medications including nasal, oral, and ophthalmic decongestants and cold remedies. 7.5 Antidepressants Concomitant use of rasagiline tablets with one of many classes of antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, triazolopyridine, tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants) is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions and Clinical Pharmacology ]. Concomitant use of rasagiline tablets and MAO inhibitors is contraindicated [ see Contraindications ]. 7.6 Ciprofloxacin or Other CYP1A2 Inhibitors Rasagiline plasma concentrations may increase up to 2 fold in patients using concomitant ciprofloxacin and other CYP1A2 inhibitors. This could result in increased adverse events. Patients taking concomitant ciprofloxacin or other CYP1A2 inhibitors should not exceed a dose of rasagiline tablets 0.5 mg once daily [see Warnings and Precautions and Clinical Pharmacology ]. 7.7 Tyramine/Rasagiline Interaction MAO in the gastrointestinal tract and liver (primarily type A) provides protection from exogenous amines (e.g., tyramine) that have the capacity, if absorbed intact, to cause a tyramine reaction with hypertension including clinical syndromes referred to as hypertensive urgency, crisis, or emergency. Foods and medications containing large amounts of exogenous amines (e.g., from fermented cheese, herring, over-the-counter cough/cold medications) may cause release of norepinephrine resulting in a rise in systemic blood pressure. Results of a special tyramine challenge study indicate that rasagiline is selective for MAO-B at recommended doses and can be used without dietary tyramine restriction. However, certain foods may contain very high amounts (i.e., 150 mg or greater) of tyramine and could potentially cause a hypertensive reaction in individual patients taking rasagiline tablets due to increased sensitivity to tyramine. Selectivity for inhibiting MAO-B diminishes in a dose-related manner as the dose is progressively increased above the recommended daily doses. There were no cases of hypertensive crisis in the clinical development program associated with 1 mg daily rasagiline tablets treatment, in which most patients did not follow dietary tyramine restriction. There have been postmarketing reports of patients who experienced significantly elevated blood pressure (including rare cases of hypertensive crisis) after ingestion of unknown amounts of tyramine- rich foods while taking recommended doses of rasagiline tablets. Patients should be advised to avoid foods containing a very large amount of tyramine while taking recommended doses of rasagiline tablets [see Warnings and Precautions ]. 7.8 Dopaminergic Antagonists It is possible that dopamine antagonists, such as antipsychotics or metoclopramide, could diminish the effectiveness of rasagiline tablets.

• Pregnancy: Based on animal data, may cause fetal harm. 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate data on the developmental risks associated with the use of rasagiline tablets in pregnant women. In animal studies, oral administration of rasagiline to rats during gestation and lactation resulted in decreased survival and reduced body weight in the offspring at doses similar to those used clinically. When administered to pregnant animals in combination with levodopa/carbidopa, there were increased incidences of fetal skeletal variations in rats and increases in embryofetal death and cardiovascular abnormalities in rabbits [see Data]. In the US general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. The background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Data Animal Data In a combined mating/fertility and embryofetal development study in pregnant rats, no effect on embryo-fetal development was observed at oral doses up to 3 mg/kg/day (approximately 30 times the plasma exposure (AUC) in humans at the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD, 1 mg/day]). In pregnant rabbits administered rasagiline throughout the period of organogenesis at oral doses of up to 36 mg/kg/day, no developmental toxicity was observed. At the highest dose tested, the plasma AUC was approximately 800 times that in humans at the MRHD. In pregnant rats administered rasagiline (0, 0.1, 0.3, 1 mg/kg/day) orally during gestation and lactation, offspring survival was decreased and offspring body weight was reduced at 0.3 mg/kg/day and 1 mg/kg/day (10 and 16 times the plasma AUC in humans at the MRHD). The no-effect dose (0.1 mg/kg) for adverse developmental effects is similar to the MRHD on a body surface area (mg/m2) basis. The effect of rasagiline on physical and behavioral development was not adequately assessed in this study. Rasagiline may be given as an adjunct therapy to levodopa/carbidopa treatment. In pregnant rats administered rasagiline (0, 0.1, 0.3, 1 mg/kg/day) and levodopa/carbidopa (80/20 mg/kg/day)(alone and in combination orally throughout the period of organogenesis, there was an increased incidence of fetal skeletal variations in fetuses from rats treated with rasagiline in combination with levodopa/carbidopa at 1/80/20 mg/kg/day (approximately 8 times the rasagiline plasma AUC in humans at the MRHD and similar to the MRHD of levodopa/carbidopa [800/200 mg/day] on a mg/m2 basis). In pregnant rabbits dosed orally throughout the period of organogenesis with rasagiline alone (3 mg/kg) or in combination with levodopa/carbidopa (rasagiline: 0.1, 0.6, 1.2 mg/kg, levodopa/carbidopa: 80/20 mg/kg/day), an increase in embryofetal death was noted at rasagiline doses of 0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg/day when administered in combination with levodopa/carbidopa (approximately 7 and 13 times, respectively, the rasagiline plasma AUC in humans at the MRHD). There was an increase in cardiovascular abnormalities with levodopa/carbidopa alone (similar to the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis) and to a greater extent when rasagiline(at all doses; 1-13 times the rasagiline plasma AUC in humans at the MRHD)was administered in combination with levodopa/carbidopa. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of rasagiline in human milk or the effects on the breastfed infant. In rats, rasagiline was shown to inhibit prolactin secretion. The clinical relevance in humans is unknown, and there are no data on the effects of rasagiline on prolactin secretion or milk production in humans. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for rasagiline tablets and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from rasagiline tablets or from the underlying maternal condition. 8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. 8.5 Geriatric Use Approximately half of patients in clinical trials were 65 years and over. There were no significant differences in the safety profile of the geriatric and nongeriatric patients. 8.6 Hepatic Impairment Rasagiline plasma concentration may be increased in patients with mild (up to 2 fold, Child-Pugh score 5-6), moderate (up to 7 fold, Child-Pugh score 7-9), and severe (Child-Pugh score 10-15)hepatic impairment. Patients with mild hepatic impairment should not exceed a dose of 0.5 mg/day. Rasagiline tablets should not be used in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment [see Dosage and Administration , Warnings and Precautions and Clinical Pharmacology ]. 8.7 Renal Impairment Dose adjustment of rasagiline tablets are not required for patients with mild or moderate renal impairment because rasagiline tablets plasma concentrations are not increased in patients with moderate renal impairment. Rasagiline has not been studied in patients with severe renal impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology ].