I just took my first tablet of azilect. I am nervous about it. It was prescribed mainly for excessive drooling but I am sure it has other effects. I read about some food interactions which seemed like a daunting list, but my neuro said that most of what is on the list are not items I should worry about.

Does anyone out there has concrete advice about taking this drug? I am also on carbidopa levadopa, amantadine, and mirapex.

I appreciate your input.

Ann

As I understand it theoreticallly there is a risk but no one in the trials actually had a reaction to foods with the risk substance in them (ty.......can't remember the name) and anyway the usual dose is very low. I was very nervous but have no side effects whatsoever and do feel that it has smoothed out the effect of the sinemet I am on. Bonus might be neuroprotective effect but that as far as I know is not universally accepted. I have read about others who felt it wasn't doing it but when they stopped they realised it was lengthening the on times. Its quite a subtle effect.

I understand that clinical trials have shown that Azilect slows the progression of PD. I've been taking it for a long time with no apparent side effects.

I have been taking Azilect for more than 3 years. My Neuro says its effect in slowing the progress of PD is scientifically proven and some people claim it has a positive effect on the symptoms. Personally I can not say yes or no to any one of these claims. But I know for sure that it has no negative and no side effects in my case. Well since it does not do any harm, if it can slow down the disease by a certain percentage, which seems to be proven, then I continue using it. My advice is "Do not worry, it has no obvious interaction with any food and is quite safe". Good luck.

Hi A$$ilect users,

I've been on it since the first dx of Parkinsons (Parky Flu). I'm sold on it protecting my system. With Azilect in my system, its like the Berlin and Great Wall of China and a StarTrek Force Field protecting my Left side Nuerons from the Parky Demons that romp in the right side of my brain. I am hoping that never invade the left side and I will sing the praises of Azilect forever. That is my story of hope and I am sticking to it.

And, Although I have no interactions with food and azilect, It is a medicine that can make your blood pressure drop. I am careful to not use adrenaline in my dental freezing, or Contact C which may drop it further.

jb

Hi Ann,

I was diagnosed in 2005, and have been on Azilect since than; before it was FDA approved. It not only stopped PD from advancing, it actually reversed some of the symptoms. My advise would be to stay away from Amantadine and Mirapex. I now only take carbidopa/levadopa and Azilect; doing great.

Wayne

Good to hear from you.. Azilect is/can be a "good" drug. But if you are taking it mainly for neuroprotection, then you should know some things about it.

A drug in the same class as Azilect is Eldepryl (generic name - Selegeline). Both are MAO-B Inhibitors, which break down the enzymes of dopamine, causing the efficacy of natural dopamine or synthetic dopamine (levodopa) to last longer. Azilect can be used alone (monotherapy) or along with your present regime of medications (called adjunct therapy - as it is in your case). I believe the Azilect is a little stronger than Eldepryl. Because of that, doctors should slowly adjust cutting down Sinemet and agonists (Requip orf Mirapex).

The food interaction is not always a given; i.e. some people can tolerate foods high in tyramine and take Azilect or Eldepryl without a problem. Belo are some of the foods to avoid:

• air dried meats, aged or fermented meats, sausage or salami (including cacciatore and mortadella), pickled herring, and any spoiled or improperly stored beef, poultry, fish, or liver;
• beer from a tap, beer that has not been pasteurized, or red wine;
• aged cheeses, including blue, boursault, brick, brie, camembert, cheddar, emmenthaler, gruyere, parmesan, romano, roquefort, stilton, and swiss;
• sauerkraut;
• over-the-counter supplements or cough and cold medicines that contain tyramine;
• soy beans, soy sauce, tofu, miso soup, bean curd, fava beans; or
• yeast extracts (such as Marmite).*

*from the Azilect website.

Finally, Eldepryl/Selegeline was originally for treating severe depression. I just had carpal tunnel surgery and because of my dyskinesia, I had to be sedated. Whenever I stopped the Eldepryl (which has interactions with anesthesia agents) my mood got all messed up. And when my mood is off, I spend much more time "off" in movment.

As far as Azilect being neuroprotective, the jury is still out. The study that claimed the Azilect (rasagaline) as being neuroprotective was only a little over a year long - hardly enough time to know anything. Even Eldepryl's neuroprotection studies are inconclusive, and it's been around for ages.

As I say to those who ask, "It won'y hurt to give it a try;" you'll never know if you don't. Good luck.

Peggy

In initial research into these 2 drugs I recall that one major difference was selegeline metabolized into an amphetamine like compound and rasagaline did not. for individuals who suffered fatigue, the use of selegeline was recommended to help with that symptom.

olsen said "for individuals who suffered fatigue, the use of selegeline was recommended "

Amphetamine? Speed? No wonder I like it so much!! lol
Peg