New Drug Approved for Parkinson's Disease

FDA recently approved a new drug to treat Parkinson's disease, called Azilect (rasagiline). Azilect is an MAO type-B inhibitor that blocks the breakdown of dopamine in the brain. Azilect was approved as a single therapy for treating early Parkinson's disease, and also in combination with levodopa in treating advanced cases.

As with many other MAO inhibitors, patients taking Azilect must avoid foods rich in tyramine such as aged cheese and red wine, and also medications containing amines, including many cough and cold remedies. Combining Azilect with these substances can trigger a hypertensive crisis which could be fatal.

Like most other medications for Parkinson's, Azilect can cause dyskinesias, hallucinations and hypotension. Azalect is contraindicated in combination with several other drugs, including dextromethorphan, meperidine and other analgesics.

Melanoma has been diagnosed in a small number of patients treated with Azilect. Parkinson's disease itself appears to increase the risk of melanoma, so it's not known at present whether the drug further increases the risk. The manufacturer will perform a postmarket study to address this question. In the meantime, the product labeling will recommend that patients undergo periodic dermatologic examinations.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Parkinson's
• Disease
• FDA
• Approved
• Azilect
• Rasagiline
• MAO
• Type-B
• Inhibitor

[flatsignedbooks]

with a name like lawsuitguru kinda ticks me off

[LawsuitGuru]

This video was produced by the FDA in the interest of consumer awareness/safety- not a law firm. LawsuitGuru keeps track of drugs/products that may potentially cause injury or death to yourself or a loved one and provides as much information about those products. Post-testing by the pharmaceutical company will provide more information about the risks associated with Azilect.

[omexmc80]

Please search CCSVI, the hubbards foundation found CCSVI is not only in MS paitents but parkinsons aswell..

[Nguli34689]

One should also avoid tea made from Phalaris arundinacea grass which grows wild all over the world. Doing so would produce vivid hallucinations.

[0asparagus0]

Try Mucuna Pruriens extract!

[litebug12345]

Although on prescription drugs my wifes blood pressure remainder at the top end of normal. After taking Levodyn for three months the improvement has been significant and she intends to carry on with Levodyn as a really helpful supplement.

[pochlomin]

Does it has the same side of effect like Aricept medications?

[newyorkernut3]

Yes another expensive drug for PD to expensive

on top of Requip,Comtan and Sinemet CR why

are these drug companies trying to break we

PD caregivers in two,those of us who are not on

welfare and too young with PD for Medicare not

that Medicare helps much with tier 3 drugs.

Phooey,we cannot afford to try Azilect,

President Obama are you listening??

[flatsignedbooks]

My apologies