Xadago is an MAO-B inhibitor and should be synergistic with Kinson. I have not seen any reports of serious adverse effects. I would not be afraid of this one, although do be aware of potential interactions drugs.com/drug-interactions...
I experience, I think, like I saw in HU a few people have dystonia side effect from Sinemet/Levadopa/Kinson etc. After taking Kinson for between 2-4 hours, my body feels like strong pulling to one side or forwards and stiffen up/freeze... I'm scared and hate this when it happens.
I'm on Kinson so dr asked if I wanted to change to other meds like Levadopa etc. because of side effect. I refused so he suggested to add Xadago to Kinson.
I cut down from 3 to 2 Kinson per day and take a lot of supplements. He wants me to take 3, but I insisted 2 so he was ok with it. He said to take 1 Xadago on top to smooth out the effect of dopamine available and hopefully cut out the undesirable side effect of Kinson.
I'm reluctant to take more meds, especially one that is new on market like this one.
Please see my reply to Joynb below and tell me what you think. Thanks.
I have been taking it for a few months with Stalevo. It has greatly improved my response to Stalevo. My stability is so much improved that I have been able to get my drivers license back.
Sounds very good. Thanks Joynb. Only thing is, maybe I'm dreaming, but I aim towards getting better so can reducing/coming off meds, let alone adding more...
My dr said Xadago uses our own dopamine by, I think, blocking an enzyme or something that clears dopamine(?) so that our dopamine stay (?). Sorry, not sure if I got it right? Anyway, I like the fact that it uses our own dopamines. However, if, like what I think he said will the enzymes get blocked/cut permanently? and when we come off meds the brain won't function normal? Please share what do you think re this? Thanks.
Xadago made it possible for me to reduce stalevo by 30%. Going drug free with PD, sorry to say, is not a realistic goal. Slowing the increase in medication can be realistic- exercise, life style adjustments, relaxation all help, so does xadago.
On the permanency angle, all sorts of things on the PD brain are stuffed permanently. I choose to go with the things that help me function well now. Who knows if I will be around tomorrow, today is what counts. That’s my outlook anyway, yours may we’ll be different.
I am a bit late to the party but hope you'll find my comments of some use. I have been switched from Azilect to Xadago almost 12 months ago and have been feeling that Xadago seems to produce a longer and smoother transition at end of dose than Azilect. I take Stalevo (levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone) 75mg 4x/day plus Sifrol ER (pramipexole) 1.25mg 1 a day. The only thing is Xadago was supposed to reduce dyskinesia hence the switch but it's not doing that for me. Dyskinesia is definitely present after 14 years of taking levodopa! My doc then added Symmtrel (an amantadine) to try to control it. The jury is still out on this last one but in short, my experience with Xadago is good so far.
I noticed the extra body movements after about 8 years on levodopa, I think.
I don't know if you can equate one drug with another as they may have different ingredients and formulation. It's better to check with your doctor, but conceptually yes, although the Stalevo does come in 75mg so I never have to try to break it up. In fact, my pharmacist would be horrified if I do that!
In the beginning, I was prescribed Madopar (levodopa) followed by Sifrol. They worked fine for a few years then freezing started and became so bad Madopar was replaced by Stalevo and later, Azilect was added to reduce the end of dose dip which made me susceptible to freezing. That helped but it didn't stop other types of freezing triggered by stress or anxiety, I haven't found anything that would stop all freezing. I also note that I started having falls couple of months after taking Azilect, although I can't conclusively say Azilect was the cause. Anyway, Xadage was introduced last year in place of Azilect to try to curb dyskinesia which is now prominent.
Xadago comes in 50mg and 100mg tablets, not sure if it goes higher. It is newer than Azilect. For their differences you're best to read the drug information sheets or ask your doc.
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