Is anyone else having problems getting rasagiline?

[Dap1948]

I’m being told by my UK pharmacist that they can’t get hold of rasagiline/Azilect. Anyone else having problems?

[maz888]

Yes, our local UK pharmacist told my husband today that they've been out of stock on rasagiline for weeks. They also have no idea when stocks will be replenished, nor could offer alternatives. Just told us we were 'lucky' to still have a 7 day supply left!

[Dap1948 in reply to maz888]

I happened to have my annual chat with my neurologist yesterday, albeit over the phone. She said that if they offered me Selegiline instead don’t take it! She suggested taking an extra Madipar if I am needed it because I was not taking Rasagiline. I have five days supply left and then I’ll just see how I go!

[maz888 in reply to Dap1948]

Thanks for the tip. Will stay well clear of selegiline! He's on no other Parkinsons medication at the moment, so he's going to take 1/2 a tab of what's left of his rasagiline and see what happens from there. Stay safe.

[Dap1948 in reply to maz888]

I remember reading that half the normal dose doesn’t do anything. There was a study comparing the two dosages. He may be better, therefore, just taking the remainder as prescribed. I think rasagiline has a fairly long effect, so he shouldn’t miss it for a couple of weeks or so. Rasagiline was my only medication for the first five years and at one point I’d gone on holiday without them, so ended up with two weeks without and I didn’t notice any difference!

[maz888 in reply to Dap1948]

Good to know. No 1/2 tabs then. Many thanks for sharing your insight!

[Seamus6 in reply to Dap1948]

Have you considered asking for Safinamide, it's a newer form of this drug type and has some good reports here?

Although quite expensive, theoretically that shouldn't influence prescribing!

[Dap1948 in reply to Seamus6]

I’ll look it up. Thanks

[Dap1948 in reply to maz888]

My pharmacist has procured a different brand of Azilect/Rasagiline so all well. It’s made by TEVA but otherwise looks the same.

[maz888 in reply to Dap1948]

I will get on to my pharmacist and enquire about TEVA. Is it NHS or private?

[Dap1948 in reply to maz888]

It’s nhs. The pharmacist had to get a new script from my GP as my repeat prescription specified the former make but otherwise no problem. Good luck.

[park_bear in reply to Dap1948]

What is wrong with Selegiline?

[Dap1948 in reply to park_bear]

I know many people take it very successfully. My neurologist has found it hasn’t suited her patients so doesn’t recommend it. I believe it works a different way to Rasagiline?

[MarionP in reply to park_bear]

In contrast to selegiline, rasagiline is not metabolized to potentially toxic amphetamine metabolites, thus "agitatas".

[Dap1948 in reply to MarionP]

Thank you for that information.

[park_bear in reply to MarionP]

This is true, but with only 5 mg of selegiline to start with, there is not much to metabolize. I switched from rasagiline to selegiline on the theory that it might help a bit with Parkinson's fatigue. In my experience there is not much difference.

[Dap1948]

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/309...

This study suggests that taking Rasagiline or Safinamide did not reduce dosage needs from levadopa, so perhaps I won’t notice any difference when I stop taking Rasagiline.