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CarolynS
10-12-2006, 05:06 PM
New research emphasizes benefits of Azilect in Parkinson's

Pharmaceutical Business Review OnLine
12th October 2006
By Victoria Harrison

http://**********aceutical-business-review.com/article_news_print.asp?guid=D94A3CF9-4760-45C4-A0BC-77559DB9D623

New analysis of trials of the drug Azilect, manufactured by Teva, has demonstrated that it is effective as a monotherapy in Parkinson's disease.

Azilect is indicated for the treatment of Parkinson's disease both as initial therapy alone and to be added to levodopa later in the disease.

The study showed that patients using a once-daily dose of Azilect, maintained their quality of life scores and the drug helped to manage the early symptoms of Parkinson's.

"These data show that Azilect is a good choice for initial monotherapy because it is effective in helping manage early Parkinson's symptoms and is also generally well tolerated," said John Bertoni of Creighton University.

Once-daily Azilect has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing "off" time (delaying the symptoms of Parkinson's) as adjunct therapy to levodopa in both the studies.

"We also looked at results across geographical areas and found that there were consistent treatment benefits seen across two geographically-separate, large-scale clinical studies of similar design," said Steven Schwid of the University of Rochester.

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the brain. Symptoms can include tremor, stiffness, slowness of movement, and impaired balance.

blkmjkwmn
12-03-2006, 08:26 AM
Greetings Everyone! Where are the old-timer's-Ron, Lone Ranger Man et al?! Anyway being the RN-reborn into the discipline of homepathy & non-pharma, I am very concerned with Ray trying (adding) azilect to his arsenal. He has been taking stalevo 4 daily & bumping it with sinemet as needed, as well as fiorinal 1-2 caps if needed for dizziness (seems to correlate with barometric changes). To sleep thru the night, or should I say longer hours without waking his cocktail is ativan, 2 CR's & 1-2 vicuprofens. (He has had PD symtoms for 10 years-treated chemically for ?7). We fired his "MDS" at Mayo-only wanted to DBS & go up on sinemet-Ray doesn't have the breed with tremors, dyskinesias. We've started with a new neurologist-who I'm impressed with, is open to all & any treatments to improve quality of life, however he's in the big pharma league & has written Ray a script for Azilect. I am very concerned with the side effect-not only the liver warnings, but more importantly the potential for hypertencive crisis should he eat fine cheeses & wine-what's up with that? I'm not sure we want to risk what we really enjoy on a drug that may or may not be effective. Sure would like some feedback if you have any thoughts. Thanks & Happy Holidays to all!!