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Azilect and diet question from new member

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Posted 2/12/2011 10:08 AM (GMT -5)

In November of 2009 I was diagnosed with early stage of PD and was started on Requip XL and now take 10 mg each evening. My neurologist wants to add Azilect  (rasagiline) to my regimine, but after reading the dietary restrictions (all the food I now enjoy would be taboo) and the possibility of increased, dangerous blood pressure levels I am not so sure.

I am a 64 year old W/M with good BP. How closely does one have to watch foods with tyramines while taking Azilect?

Posted 2/13/2011 10:13 PM (GMT -5)
les390
I was diagnosed September 2009. My first neuro started me on sinemet. When that did not stop the tremors he added artane.
I read about the side effects of sinemet and read about Azilect. When I said that I wanted to try Azilect he refused saying that it was too expensive! It is expensive, BUT I AM WORTH IT, AMD IT'S MY CHOICE.
Found out that a movement disorder specialist specialises in PD. Found one and he agreed that sinemet was not the place to start and agreed to give Azilect a try. It did not stop all of the tremors in my right hand. Added artane and it works. I take 1mg Azilect 11:00 AM and 2mg artane 1:30 PM. I have no tremors in the morning and the artane controls the afternoon tremors.

As for the food restrictions, he said that later studies have found that the restrictions are not necessary. I eat everything. For lunch I had a grilled ham and pastrami sandwich with munster cheese on rye. I have a bag of sliced pepperoni in the fridge. I think those would be no no's. I don't even remember what the restrictions were.

Just my experience.

Dan
Posted 2/13/2011 10:34 PM (GMT -5)
les
What foods do you think you would not be able to eat?


BTW I am a 66YO male with an ileostomy in addition to PD.

Dan
Posted 2/13/2011 11:36 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks, Dan. Your information about food restrictions is encouraging. A source entitled "Medslook" begins with a headline 'Azilect (stomch, liver, and heart problems - alcohol caffeine interaction.')

According to the article, one MUST NOT EAT air dried meats or aged meats; sausage or salami; pickled herring; red wine or beer from a tap; aged cheeses including  bleu, brick, brie, cheddar, gruyere, parmesan, and swiss.  These and OTC medicines contain TYRAMINES and can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels which could cause life threatening side effecs - like death.

Lastly, Azilect can cause side effects that may impair thinking and reactions.


Perhaps what I found gave rise to my apprehension over taking Azilect and my reason for seeking information. Your experiences seem to raise exceptions to food restrictions.

 Maybe,like many drugs, the disclaimer is to cover their backside. We've all seen and heard medication commericials which left us thinking the drug side effects are worse than the disease symptoms

I hope I answered your question 

Posted 2/13/2011 11:46 PM (GMT -5)
Scary stuff. I have coffee during breakfast. Right nw I am drinking blackberry brandy with blackberry juice. My BP is fine.

Dan
Posted 2/14/2011 9:22 AM (GMT -5)
les390
Go to the website below. Click on NEWS & PR. Scroll to the bottom and select ARCHIVE 2009. Scroll down to the fourth release. Read abot tyramine rich foods.

www.tevapharm.com

Dan
Posted 2/14/2011 3:27 PM (GMT -5)

WOW! Thanks, Dan. The information was very helpful and again, very encouraging. Raises a point about websites staying currect and factual. A real drawback in this age of technology and points out the problems of having a blind belief in the Internet. You have really helped a lot.

Posted 2/14/2011 6:07 PM (GMT -5)
les
Be aware that it is very expensive...but worth it. The retail value is $875 this year for a three month supply. Of that my copay is about $140.

Dan
Posted 2/15/2011 10:43 PM (GMT -5)
les390

Be sure to post whether you try Azilect or not.

Let me tell you a strange happening. After I was diagnosed I started playing ping-pong with my table in playback position. You play against yourself. I think it helps with coordination. I can really get going. One evening I was playing and returned the ball with my right hand way to my left side. I SWITCHED THE PADDLE TO MY LEFT HAND AND RETURNED THE BALL! I had never even held the paddle in my left hand. It was just an automatic response. I am now equally adept with both hands. My parkinsons affects my right side. I now do several things with my left hand as well as my right hand.

Dan

Posted 2/19/2011 10:40 PM (GMT -5)
les390,
I"m on several meds, and was on azilect for a while. My doctor told me not to be concerned for the most part about what I ate - he said most of the dietary restrictions were unnecessary. I'm off of it now because it didn't help me, but from what I've read, it usually is helpful.
Posted 2/19/2011 11:06 PM (GMT -5)
poetrygirl
It seems to be working for me.

Dan
Posted 2/24/2011 1:34 PM (GMT -5)
les390
Anything new??

Dan
Posted 5/23/2011 5:30 AM (GMT -5)
All I can say is my husband has taken Azilect for over 2 years and likes nothing more than bread and cheese with a glass of red wine! His neuro said nothing about diet restrictions and when we asked just said a couple of glasses of wine with a meal was OK but no pub crawls!

Posted 5/25/2011 10:18 AM (GMT -5)
sherwood
I have beeen taking azilect since December 2008 with no problems. Originally there were diet restrictions but that was changed before either of us started with azilect. I don't even worry about alcohol. My favorite is blackberry brandy with a touch of rum and add cranberry/blackberry juice to taste.

Dan
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