is effect of Azilect wearing off

[maria_luise]

My doctor prescribed Azilect as my first and only drug.

If some of you have been taking it for a few years your feedback will be very useful.

Thank you.

[Hidden]

I was prescribed Azilect almost 2 years ago! I was under the impression that this medications purpose is to slow down the progression of PD! I was not aware of any effect on the diseases progression. Google this drug or go to webmd. Com and read about it. And then of course check with your Neuro! Hope this helps you!

Blessings,

Carol <><

[JohnPepper in reply to Hidden]

Hi Racing Chaplain

Look at my blog on this website on MAO=b inhibotors for more information on Azilect!

John Pepper

[maria_luise in reply to JohnPepper]

I couldn't find your blog,

can you give me a link please.

[Norton1 in reply to maria_luise]

If John doesn't mind, I think he means his question to the right of this answer which heads the most popular question list.

Norton

[JohnPepper in reply to Norton1]

Thank you Norton. My hard drive packed up last weekend and I have been unable to respond until now!

John

[Bitbit]

Two and a half years for me as only drug. So far so good. How long for you? Only pd drug?

[Dennis in reply to Bitbit]

I did not stay on it long due to the cost. However that was not the only med I was taking for PD. You are blessed having only one medication to deal with. ~~Dennis

[maria_luise]

I have not started it yet but i was wondering if it is wearing off like levodopa is supposed to do.

The point is to try and NOT take it as long as symptoms are bearable, do you think this is a good idea ?

I am 60 years old by the way from Berlin, Germany.

[Dennis in reply to maria_luise]

I take my meds for PD just the doctor says. If I have a difficult time with the medicatiion being too short of coverage until the next dose then I call my

neurologist who usually increased the dose. ~~Dennis

[PatV in reply to maria_luise]

I agree if you can function. My neuro said stay undermedicated. Not possible any more after 11 yrs.

[Emily1957 in reply to maria_luise]

Azilect prevents problems by inhibiting the enzymes that stop dopamine production. Azilect keeps the door open for dopamine. Azilect is great. I take it first thing every morning. It may also slow the progression of the disease. You can get it free from the manufacturer. I always feel better when I'm taking it. (Anesthesiologist said to stop taking it for 2 weeks before surgery.)

[etterus]

I started it in 2003 before FDA approval. Stopped 2 years ago to see if it was effecting my hypotension which it was. Actually felt better afterwards. I deteriorated very slowly for 5 years while on it. The ultimate research model would be to clone me and not have used it over the same period....

[maria_luise in reply to etterus]

I wonder what would your clone think of you !

[JohnPepper in reply to etterus]

Hi etterus

MAO-b inhibitors like Azilect can cause high blood pressure because they also inhibit the breakdown of Tyramine in the body. too much Tyramine causes high blood pressure. Your doctor should have warned you about this! If you want to know what foods you should not eat, when you take drugs like Azilect, you should Google - Tyramine and get the list of foods involved.

I am not a doctor, but a Pd sufferer, like you. I took an MAO-b inhibitor for 10 years after diagnosis, at which time I was able to stop taking any further Pd medication. Don't try this yourself unless you read my book first, it is called, 'Reverse Parkinson's Disease'.

John Pepper

[etterus]

Clone would definitely have a very low opinion of me.

[carolineb211]

I have tried all the DA's ans they really don't suit me. I can only tolerate 6mg of Requip XL without getting hallucinations / sleep paralysis etc. Because of this,my Neuro put me in Azilect and it was a godsend!!

My tremor reduced and my symptoms were less. I have been on them about 9 months now and still doing OK.

[JAYNIE in reply to carolineb211]

did i ask u before, how much you pay for Requip XL??

i did so well on it with the Azelict........ but I could no longer afford it....2,300 for not quite 3 months. loved the time release.......... it is so important we take all drugs exactly when we are supposed to... if every four hours, then exactly four hours...the time release was a perfect way to be exact.

Jaynie

[carolineb211 in reply to JAYNIE]

I pay £10.40 a month and that covers all my medication.Including non PD related meds.as well.

[shall1019]

ForPD I have been on Azilect only for about 2 years. No problems with it. I felt immediately better when I started.

I take other meds for other things. Sue H

[JohnPepper in reply to shall1019]

Hi shall1019

I am pleased to hear that other people take this type of medication for Pd. Look at my blog on this website about MAO-b Inhibitors.

John Pepper

[Hikoi]

Maria

No azilect does not have wearing off problems with long term use. That is only with LDopa replacement drugs. Azilect has a very mild effect and is a good starting drug, like Bibit you may be fortunate enough to only need azilect for some time though most people add other meds by two years on. You need to check the information about use but don't let it put you off. All meds have potential side effects (it didn't suit me).

[JAYNIE]

I started with Azilect before it came to the USA....I got it atraight from Israel and Teva Pharm.

I call it my "wonder drug". no not a cure , just slowed it down, I was diagnosed in 1998..and been taking it atleast 2 to 3 years before it got here. I never want to stop taking this........

[JohnPepper]

Hi Maria_luise

I was diagnosed with Pd in 1992 and was also prescribed a monotherapy of an MAO-b inhibitor, like Azilect. After ten years, nobody would ever have known that I have Pd.

I must first warn you that I am not a doctor, nor any other type of medical person! So, take what I say as the opinion of a sufferer and not a medical person!

Taking medication was not the only thing I did! I also did a lot of exercise, in the form of walking. For all the details of this, go to my blog on WALKING on this website.

In addition, I got rid of all the problematic STRESS in my life. That was very imprtant. Stress does not cause any ailment, at least, I don't think so. Stress can trigger all sorts of problems in our lives.

I gave up my very high-powered job, in order to help me to get better. That cost me a great deal of money, but what is the use of money, when you don't live long enough to spend it?

I am now 78 and it is 21 years since diagnosis. I don't take any medication for my Pd, and have not done so since 2003. Don't even think of coming off your medication unless, like me, you do feel 'normal' again!

John

[jonroberts]

My experience with Azilect was from Sept 2006-Sept 2007. This was early in my PD and was not having many symptoms. I did have vivid, violent dreams and my doc took me off Azilect before he retired. About 2-3 years later at a PD support grou, my second neurologist in Las Vegas, spoke about Azilect saying "everyone with PD should take Azilect and there are no side effects!" He knew my history and I told the drug rep before the meeting my side effects. My co pay was $70/month. I was upset about the misrepresentation of Azilect.

[PatV in reply to jonroberts]

in other words, there are side effects

[jonroberts]

Yes, there are side effects, but like everything else, PD meds affect everyone differently.

Thanks,

Jon Roberts

[maria_luise]

Thank you all, for so much feedback based on your experience.

[maria_luise]

I am now very confused about Tyrosine - Tyramine causing high blood pressure etc...

Does that mean that if I have to start Azilect I would have to avoid cheese and all other foods containing Tyrosine - Tyramine ?

[Hikoi in reply to maria_luise]

Hi Maria

This is a confusing area as the warnings have changed over time. Now the advice is you can eat these foods but advised not to excess. You will need to monitor your own reactions. I know one person who reacted badly to Azilect ((High blood pressure) but it is rare.

pharmacyadvocates.com/tag/t...

[JohnPepper in reply to Hikoi]

Hi Maria

We have to prioritise everything. To me, I can live with Pd bit if I get too high blood pressure, I coud get a stroke. So I continued to take Eldepryl and I watched my blood pressure very carefully. I took anti-hypertensive drugs according to needs.

I no longer need ant Pd medication but I am still on the blood pressure pills,

John

[soup]

Parkinson's is a progressive condition and as such the dopamine produced by the brain will gradually decrease with time. As that happens, what was an effective dose of whatever drug you are on will not be sufficient to compensate, even at the maximum dose. For that reason other drugs are added to the mix as the 'disease' progresses.

Azilect acts by preventing the destruction of Dopamine in the mitochondria of the nerve cells and, almost, aids the recycling of the cells' dopamine. However, as you cells produce less dopamine as time goes on even this recycling effect will not keep the levels of dopamine high enough in the brain to be effective.

[Hikoi in reply to soup]

Thanks Soup

I appreciate that you explain complex things so clearly.

[Susie01]

I was started on Azilect at diagnosis. Worked very well for a time period, would be scared to death to stop it. Please be aware of the dietary and medication restrictions! My neuro has tried to add other meds since diagnosis but everything raises BP with the Azilect.

[maria_luise]

In my case I have a really very low blood pressure !

May be I should not worry so much ?

But could Azilect lower blood pressure in some people ?

Has anybody heard of that?

[froggatt55]

My experience of Azilect is different in that it was recommended by a neurologist I saw in Cambridge UK as an addition to my drug cocktail - which was then Ropinirole, Sinemet Plus and Amantadine. He also suggested I switch from Ropinrole to Requip. He is of the persusation that more drugs early is better in the long run. He did advise me to get a second opinion on he Azilect because I was, and still am, taking Paroxetine - there is a risk of getting Serotonin syndrome. I took further advice and was reassured that the risk was small.

Well almost overnight I felt that my cocktail was working and I felt better than any time since having Pd and that has continued for about 4 years (I was diagnosed 10 years ago). The only things that suffer from now are 1) get stressed very easily and this affects the efficacy of my evening dosages - particularly if we have people round (although I can combat that to an extent by having a Nap) and 2) I suffer from real pains in my thighs which waken me up each morning - but disappear when I have walked around a bit

[Emily1957]

"Stay undermedicated"? Was he referring to sinemet?