Rasagiline

[Jo692]

Is anyone taking this please?

Consultant at recommended this on our last visit.

Has anyone been taking it did it help with tremor please?

Thank you

Jo

[johntPM]

I've been on rasagiline for about 13 years (diagnosed almost 16 years ago). It works by making dopamine last longer. Initially it was thought that it might slow the progression of PD, but now that seems not to be the case. But, it does seem to reduce the symptoms of PD slightly. It is an easy drug to take, just once per day, giving a relatively constant efficacy, with few side effects. An alternative would be to start on a low dose of levodopa (100 mg/ day), probably going up to 100 mg three times per day.

Regarding tremor, it is hard to say whether rasagiline has much effect on my tremor. I take a cocktail of drugs for PD (levodopa, ropinirole, rasagiline). Together, they reduce, but not eliminate, my tremor.

[Jo692 in reply to johntPM]

Thank you for the reply. Were you initially taking it alone? If yes for how long before you felt it necessary to add additional drugs please.

[johntPM in reply to Jo692]

It's a long time ago, but if a remember it correctly, I was on rasagiline alone for about a year before dopamine agonists were added. But, by that time the disease had progressed and I was still undermedicated. In retrospect my initiation to higher doses was too little, too late. It took me about 5 more years with first the addition of ropinirole, then the addition of Stalevo to get properly medicated. Apart from some tactical changes I have kept to the same regimen for 5 years or so. (To be clear, the dose for rasagiline is typically 1 mg / day fixed, increasing it has no benefit. Agonists and levodopa based drugs can have their dose or frequency changed.)

[Jo692 in reply to johntPM]

Thank you for such a comprehensive explanation and your experiences. It is very helpful to know the way forward to try and keep “a life”. Best wishes. Jo

[Mogul1]

Yes, When rasagaline first came out,

it's name was Azilect. My neurologist kept giving me samples that I ignored.

My cousin who is a PWP came out from Denver so we could catch up and play some golf.

My golf game was on life support. I couldn't hit water if I fell out of a boat.

My cousin and I were comparing notes when he mentioned that his neuro had prescribed Azilect and he had an immediate positive effect. Walking and talking improved, his facial expressions improved, and most significantly, his golf game improved so naturally, I began taking 1 mg per day.

It worked. The golf game came back along with all kinds of improvements. It was a game-changer for me.

Rasagaline is the generic version of Azilect. I tried it by accident when the pharmacist gave me my prescription while raving about the price reduction. It was a great price reduction, but things didn't go very well the following days. Something just wasn't right. A few days went by without improvement. Fortunately, someone looked at the label and saw the name rasagaline instead of Azilect. I saw that both came from the same manufacturer. Why the difference between the 2? What ingredient was missing from the rasagaline. I wasn't able to get an answer.

Azilect/rasagaline is also able to slow the progress of Parkinson's.

I would enjoy hearing how it goes if you try rasagaline.

Mogul B

[Br_an]

Rasagiline helped me. Seemed to reduce jerky twitches. Even things out @ OFF times. I had none, ran out. maybe 10 days. Missed having it. works for me alongside Carbo / Levo D. Spendy. I buy Canadian pharmacy for about $1 pill. Good luck.

[alaynedellow]

Azilect is the branded form ragasaleine is generic form. The coating on ragasaleine upsets me but azilect is gd.

[Zella23]

Husband took it to help dopamine last longer after taking Madopar for 4 years. It did work doing that, as he got increased dyskinesia. Now added in Amantadine to help with that. Also has cut down on Madopar he takes. Doesn’t always get tremor it was never one of his worst symptoms, but does increase with anxiety.

[Husbandsupporter]

My husband was on it briefly after 1 year of being diagnosed. The reason was the Dr wasn't prescribing enough CD/LD for food results. Rasagaline (Azilect) was then added to see if would offer the added help. Turned out it didn't. Before he started on it, i did research on the diet that the possibilities of interactions with certain foods high in Tyromine. Even though the dosage is thought to not having any effects, i wanted to make sure. So I called the company that makes it and they said they were unaware of any contraindications with the 1mg dose.

My husband didn't tolerate the drug well. In fact, he became more agitated: tremors weren't helped, he felt antsy all the time, and couldn't sleep as well.

As each person has a different reaction and experience, he's wasn't good.

If you try it, I wish you well.

[Kbowdoin]

I have YOPD and have been diagnosed for over a year. I’ve been on Rasagiline for 6 months now because it slows progression. It has helped my mood and anxiety. It is definitely expensive- up to $900 for a 90 day supply. My understanding is that it doesn’t help tremors. I take something else for my tremor.

[sailaway615 in reply to Kbowdoin]

Hi, Kbowdoin--do you live in the states? GoodRx gets my price on 1 mg tablets of Rasagiline way below that.

[Gratitude60]

I was dx with PD in december 2020. The symptoms that triggered the dx were some right arm tremor during movement, slight resting tremor - same side, periodic internal tremor and twitching right arm, and reduced coordination which I noticed in handwriting, drying hair. Started rasagiline at the end of January. The internal tremor, periodic twitching, and resting tremor seem to be reduced. At this time, I am not taking other RX, but I am taking Glutathione and some other supplements prescribed by my ND. So, I think the Rasagiline is helping.

I was also concerned about the interactions with food (cured meats, gorgonzola) but I have been told by my neurologist and ND that it's not something to worry about. Unrelated, I have stopped eating dairy and meat.

[Hidden]

Hi, our situation and symptoms are similar. What kind of glutathione are you taking? I just started taking Quicksilver brand liposomal glutathione. What else do you take?

I have also stopped dairy but might resume ghee bc of its butyrate content.

[Realneeds]

Interesting stuff

[Realneeds]

Cbd and LivOn Labs Glutathione seem to aid.