Clinical Experience with Generic Rasagiline (Ralago®) in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: An Open-Label, Multicenter, Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Antiparkinsonian pharmacotherapy represents one of the most important expenses related to Parkinson’s disease. The application of generic drugs may help to reduce the economic burden of the disease; however, efficacy and safety of these products have been less studied. Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of generic rasagiline (Ralago®) from a clinical perspective. Methods: The Clinical Global Impression of Severity scale was used to rate the most important motor and non-motor symptoms at baseline and 12 weeks after the initiation of Ralago®. Patients also identified symptoms which were the main sources of their disability and distress in everyday life. Results: A total of 499 patients were enrolled (231 females, mean age: 73.2 ± 9.1 years, mean duration of disease: 3.6 ± 3.7 years). Of them, 486 patients completed the study protocol. Both motor and non-motor symptoms showed improvement during 12-week Ralago® treatment. Adverse events were rare, and the majority of them were not considered as serious. Conclusions: The generic rasagiline (Ralago®) is an effective and safe generic product.