How does AZILECT^® work, and what are some of its benefits?

How do I take AZILECT^® ?

Who should not take AZILECT^®?

Are there side effects with AZILECT^® treatment?

What about other medications I might need?

How does AZILECT^® work, and what are some of its benefits?

Over time, Parkinson's disease will cause you to lose more and more dopamine in your brain.

AZILECT^® works by blocking the breakdown of dopamine in the brain. As much as 60% to 80% of dopamine could be lost by the time PD is diagnosed.

With more dopamine available in your brain, you may be able to move more freely again. Everyday tasks may become less difficult.

AZILECT^® is the first once-daily medication for the treatment of PD.

• One AZILECT^® pill per day helps relieve many of the troubling symptoms of PD.
• AZILECT^® may be taken alone or in combination with other PD medications.
• AZILECT^® therapy is well tolerated.

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How do I take AZILECT^®?

AZILECT^® has been shown to work for patients when taken alone for symptom relief in early stage PD or when taken with carbidopa/levodopa and other PD medications when more relief is needed. Your AZILECT^® dosing is convenient:

• Take one pill just once daily -- whether you're new to PD therapy or have been taking other PD medications for years.
• AZILECT^® can be taken with or without food.
• If you miss a dose, don't double up, just take your next dose as scheduled.
• You should avoid certain dietary supplements and cold remedies. This is important in order to prevent a possibly dangerous rise in blood pressure called a hypertensive crisis.

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Who should not take AZILECT^®?

You should not take AZILECT^®:

• if you are currently taking meperidine as it could possibly result in a serious reaction such as coma or death.
• with tramadol, methadone, propoxyphene, dextromethorphan, St. John's wort, mirtazapine, or cyclobenzaprine.
• with other monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), amphetamines, cold remedies containing decongestants and weight-reducing preparations containing pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, or ephedrine in order to avoid a possibly dangerous rise in blood pressure.

Symptoms of a dangerous rise in blood pressure include severe headache, blurred vision, difficulty thinking, seizures, chest pain, unexplained nausea or vomiting, or signs or symptoms of a stroke.
You or your caregiver should seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms or other unusual symptoms occur.

• if you have moderate to severe liver disease or a tumor of the adrenal gland.

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Are there side effects with AZILECT^® treatment?

AZILECT^® is generally well tolerated. Side effects seen with AZILECT^® alone are headache, joint pain, and indigestion. Side effects seen with AZILECT^® taken with levodopa are uncontrolled movements (dyskinesias), accidental injury, nausea, weight loss, constipation, low blood pressure when standing, joint pain, vomiting, dry mouth, rash, and sleepiness. Be sure to tell your doctor about these and any other side effects you experience when taking AZILECT^®.

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What about other medications I might need?

Be sure you talk to your doctor before starting AZILECT^® if you are taking, or planning to take, any over-the-counter or prescription medications, especially antidepressants and ciprofloxacin.

In addition, when taking AZILECT^®, you should not have elective surgery requiring general anesthesia, and you should not receive cocaine or other local anesthesia that contains ingredients that could raise blood pressure.

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