I had an appointment with a neurologist who wants me to continue taking Carbidopa-levodopa, but also take Rasagiline. The side effects and food interactions list seem onerous and dangerous to me. And, it is rather expensive.
I canceled the prescription until I understand this drug better.
Any thoughts and information is appreciated.
Michelle
I take it and haven’t had any problems with it. It’s doing whatever it’s supposed to do quietly in the background. It’s an older inhibitor, and you’ll read warnings about things like not taking it with this or that. But you have to check with the doctor because some of it doesn’t apply necessarily to this one. I think the standard dose is 1 mg and I started it at a half dose and can’t remember how long I took that but it was quite a few years ago. With the food issue, I don’t seem to be drinking or eating what I shouldn’t be. I mean it wasn’t in my repertoire anyway.
I hope that helps. It’s a little vague but maybe you can glean something from it :-).
I've been taking 1mg of Azilect in the morning with Madopar (levodopa, Benzerazide) since I was diagnosed 5 years ago. I don't have any side effects and I think the Azilect makes the Madopar last longer. I have actually decreased my dose from 1 Madopar three times a day to one in the morning and !/2 for the other two doses because my neurologist thought the dyskenesia I was starting to experience might be due to being over medicated. I did try the generic version of Azilect (rasagilene) but I didn't think it was as effective. My neurologist said there shouldn't be a difference, but he always listens to me! Fortunately I live in Australia so cost isn't a problem.
My wife has been taking Rasagiline, generic Azilect, for 9 years without problems with one exception, when an arrogant dentist injected her with Novacaine with epinephrine, after being told not to use anything with epinephrine due to the interaction with Rasagiline. Her her blood pressure spiked to a dangerous level and she spent the night in the ER. She has tried twice weaning off the Rasagiline in order to reduce the number of drugs, only to find that she was better off, taking it.
Fortunately in the UK we are covered on cost so not factored into decisions. Rasagilene was the first drug prescribed to me but I never sensed any beñefit from it. And my nurse couldn't explain clearly what I should feel. So I stopped. Every now and then I'll try again hoping for improvements but none, so stop.
I was on it for two years didn't do me any harm I think it's supposed to support the sinemet
At one time it was thought that it would help slow the progression of PD, but there have since been studies that have proven to be false.
my husband had violent sleep on Rasagiline. Our Dr switched us to Nuepro 24 hr patch for agonist. It works well w/o the side effects. We started with 4mg then 6. Now 8
I use Selegiline instead. Both Rasagiline and Selegiline are MAO-B inhibitors, which slow the breakdown of dopamine in your brain, so whatever dopamine that you do have is more effective. If you are still deficient in how much dopamine is in your brain, you may still need to take Sinemet, but less Sinemet if you are also taking an MAO-B inhibitor.
I highly recommend Dr. Ahlskog's book "The New Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book, Partnering with Your Doctor to Get the Most from Your Medications". In there he says it is the drugs that block both MAO-A and MAO-B that require a special diet, but not just an MAO-B. He also recommends the older Selegiline instead of Rasagiline, because of cost, and because Rasagiline has possible drug interactions with antidepressants, narcotics, and other prescription pain relievers. When he published his book then:
Selegiline (5 mg capsules) price per 100 pills -- $137
Rasagiline (1 mg) price per 100 pills -- $1562
I think some Doctors don't take cost into account. By educating yourself by reading Dr. Ahlskog's book, then you can be your own advocate.
I always assumed that my insurance was getting me the best possible price on drugs. However, I have since learned that for some drugs, my insurance is 10 times more expensive than using Good Rx . You can use Good Rx without even becoming a member. Whenever you have an expensive drug, investigate what your price would be if you use Good Rx.
I can say that I have taken it for about 18 months. I can’t say it helps but I can say I don’t have any side effects that I am aware of. I know that the data from the clinical trials showed that it possibly slowed progression but not enough that they allowed the manufacturer to make that claim.
None for me. For what it is worth, my daughter is a clinical trial researcher in oncology. She has commented several times that the reported side effect of new drugs are wildly overstated as part of the process. My general strategy is try it, if you have side effects don’t do it anymore.
Look up rasagiline from mayo clinic, further down it it says-If you are taking this medicine with levodopa, you may experience increased dyskinesia (eg, twitching, twisting, uncontrolled repetitive movements of tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs). Check with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
Also to start of with 0.5mg then increase if necessary to 1mg.My WWP was given 1mg from the start and this was done via information passed on to the MD Doctor from the nurse, so no face to face consultation with MD Doctor.
I have taken .50 mg of Rasagiline since early 2020. I have had no side effects, and I still eat / drink everything I want. Maybe because it is only .50 mg? I don't know. When I go through insurance, the cost is high, so I fax my prescription to a Canadian pharmacy and it costs me $105 for 100 pills. Try it - if you get side effects, just stop. You won't know unless you try.
Rasagiline (Azilect) savings
Rasagiline 
Azilect (Rasagiline)
Azilect (Rasagiline)
