I’ve been on Azilect for the past 3 years. During this period I also took Rasagiline for 2 months with bad side effects. Now out of the blue the doctor has said he’s never prescribed Azilect and I have to take a generic Rasagiline. Even though I have side effects from it. There reasoning is “It will blow their budget”
I am at a loss as to what to do. I really don’t want to take Rasagiline knowing the side effects it has on me.
Side effects are severe headaches, blurred vision , nausea, dizziness,. Also made the tinnitus worse.
I am in the UK has anyone had the same problems?
TIA
Jacqui
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Jacstar3
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I’ve taken Rasagiline for 5 years without side effects or any appreciable effect on my symptoms. Also took Azilect with similar results. Contrary I do notice relief from C/L type drugs.
I stopped generic C/L because of nausea.
Switched to Rytary. The later being extended relief probably why no nausea.
Last thing we want is a drug that compounds are symptoms.
I began taking Azilect as suggested by my neurologist about 7-8 years ago and experienced improvements that were almost immediate. I have been taking 1mg per day ever since.
I have run into availability problems as well as insurance deciding to stop covering due to expense. The side effects I experienced were reduced coordination and agility. It shocked me since I was losing it. My local pharmacy (US) has helped me out by ordering it in advance so they have it in stock when my prescription renews.
in the US, Azilect is usually 10x more expensive (retail) than generic rasagiline. not unusual to see 5-10x price spread between brand and generics (if available).
rasagiline is 2x more expensive than selegiline (generic). very comparable in CT results, but these CT conclusions have been debated for years. ("There were no significant differences between rasagiline/MPTP and selegiline/MPTP-treated animals in respect to signs of motor impairment, the number of dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra, and striatal dopamine levels. ")
Probably resagiline is more specific at inhibiting MAO B, with little effect on MAO A, at least at the recommended doses (1-2 mg per day for the newer, expensive resa-, compared with 10-20 mg for the old standby sele-).
At one time there was some claim that Azilect had significant neuroprotective properties, but I think that has not been pushed more recently. Professor Youdim's group in Israel, the originators of resagiline, built into it the chemical propargyl- group. This group was thought to be critical for its putative neuroprotective activity. Interestingly, the same group is also part of the selegiline structure. One might conclude, therefore that selegiline should also be neuroprotective, but I am not aware of any data to support that.
3 months of rasagaliline retails at $1575.00 per my insurance statement; negotiated amount is $972.00 for 3 MONTHS. Are you saying Azilect is $5K-9.72K for those same 3 months? I thought rasagaliline is generic Azilect. It is my understanding selegiline is a whole other drug.
I was on it for 4 years no problems what I find shocking is a doctor will put you back on a drug he knowswill make you lll shocking whether they can afford it or not is irrelevant this is someone's life I'm sorry I would go nuts
Yes I am going nuts. Unfortunately with no doctor visits this is being dealt with over the phone. They are very dismissive and have stated I need to have the generic Rasagiline. So I’m going to try and make an appointment now 🤞
So very true. Just called to make an appointment. Not interested!!! They will only give me a script for “generic Rasagiline “ even knowing the effects it has on me. go figure. Really at a loss now.
Yes generic ragasilene coating is diff made me unwell. French doc says no substitute on prescrip n i get azilect. Prescrip is free as pd is malade of long duree
Azilect = brand (TEVA); rasagiline = generic (also by TEVA). some differences in the coating for some reason(?) NEITHER SLOWS PROGRESSION PER CT results.
I'm from the US and started getting Azilect from a certified online pharmacy out of Canada - NorthwestPharmacy.com. You can upload a written prescription for generic Rasagiline but choose to purchase either the Rasagiline or the Azilect. It is expensive but less than what I was paying through my insurance.
Has anyone been told by a neurologist that the claim is untrue about Azilect slowing progression? My newest movement disorder doc told me that. It was the first drug that I had taken. I noticed more body movement but kept taking it. My doctor added Mirapex. After a year r so, I stopped both because I suddenly (in 2 months time) lost a lot of body and muscle weight, posture distorted, stomach distended. I found a FDA website update to the Mirapex package label warning about the side affects of weight and posture distortion. I freaked and gradually stopped taking it. Azilect had a side affect for weight loss as well, so I stopped taking it. Along the way I tried CL. Had more side affects including heart rate spiking when I increased the dose. So I took small dosages, B1, mucuna, etc. I went to a few heart doctors who said I might have tachycardia and afib. Now I'm on 200 - 300 mg of CL dissolving tablet along with heart meds. I feel that my PD has progressed some (freezing, drooling) and wonder if I should have stayed on Azilect. I'm still fighting weight loss but holding, posture is a bit straighter.
When I was diagnosed 5 years ago the movement disorder specialist said Azilect was 'probably a bit neuroprotective'. Now I notice the team at the hospital err on the side of 'probably not' .
My husband takes generic Rasagaline seems to be ok for him. We’re in the U.K. A couple of years ago when he had issues with the Neuro, he took steps to change him. GP was understanding and supportive and referred him to our choice of Neuro in another hospital. Best thing he ever did!
Thanks for this. I’m looking at changing my Neuro, as I’ve only seen her twice in four years. Also my nurse as I’ve only seen them twice in four years. I seem to have slipped through the cracks. Fingers crossed I can change. 🤞
Yes it’s a bit of a faff but our GP was amazingly supportive and understood how you need to be confident and happy discussing all your issues and needs with an understanding ‘expert’. They all seem to have different ideas and opinions but you definitely need one on your side.
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