I wish to amplify Birdyfeather's request. I too am in the donut hole. My question is more fundamental. Have there been follow-up studies on Azilect? The original study indicated a short term improvement followed by continued progression of the disease. That is what I experienced. I later continued on to sinamet and Carbo/Levo based therapies. I am still taking Azilect. Has any follow-up shown long term benefits?

Good evening to you all.

I have been taking Azilect since the beginning of January 2013. Since then my symptoms have not changed and I have had a slight decrease in the amount of Sinemet I have been taking. I have no experience with Seleglline, so I could not say if they are interchangeable.

At the time I started taking Azilect, I had no insurance. My neuro suggested I apply for a program offered by Teva Neuroscience to help PD patients pay for the drug. I completed the app and returned it to the doctor who submitted it to the program. During my time in the program there was some discussion of offering coupons for those who were entering the "donut hole" with Medicare.

Here are 2 web sites you can check for information, www.azilect.com and www.parkinsonssupportssolutions.com and a phone number for Patient Support Solutions is 1.866.880.8582.

Best of luck to you, I hope this helps.

Madge

Sorry the links were messed up. I'll try the links again.

www.azilect.com
www.parkinsonssupportsolutions.com

I those don't work, the phone number should be good.

I have been taking Azilect (rasagiline) since August 2010 when I was diagnosed. My symptoms are only slightly worse today, but I also take Sinemet, Artane and Inderal to round out my "cocktail". I too am in the "doughnut hole" and just filed a 90 day supply for $750.

You know the bigger issue is why aren't the foundations working on getting the cost of meds reduced by getting the patent and exclusivity rules changed so the market can set the price. I researched getting my Azilect from a Canadian Rx and found it available for $US 300 and easy to obtain as long as your doctor will write you a paper Rx and was okay with having it filled in Canada.

Those of you that are in the donut hole, find out who the manufacturer is and contact them directly. They will sometimes discount the drugs for you.

Hi I've been on azilect for about 6 months and it has truly changed my life. I was frozen and had end of dose wearing off frequently. I felt that another drug would probably do nothing and so far so good. Fingers crossed that I maintain this level of functioning.

CAUTION on the drugs from Canada --while there are reputable RX places there, some are really more placebo than actual drug. Be sure you Neuro is on board, and he/she can tell you of one.

Azilect is rasagaline. Selegiline is Eldepryl and Zelapar

I AM NOT A DR. NOR DO I PLAY ONE ON TV --

This link is to the NIH health info on Selegiline:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a697046.html#brand-name-1

The donut hole is indeed a sucking vortex! PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BELOW:

Sep. 23, 2013-- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA) today announced the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey has issued a favorable ruling in the Companys patent infringement lawsuit against Mylan regarding an AZILECT (rasagiline tablets) patent which covers methods of treating Parkinsons disease (PD). The Court has upheld the validity of Tevas patent. Teva anticipates the Court will enter Judgment that prevents Mylan from launching its generic version of Azilect until Tevas patent expires in 2017.

Thank you everyone for your info. Was thinking about quiting azilect, but my husband does not think that I should. Guess I will go ahead and order it. I wonder if the stress of paying so much for it cancels out the benefits.

Birdyfeather, sorry that you are in the vortex of $$ on your prescriptions. We may not fall into it this year, since I got off 5 major meds (that were making me truly crazy), and they were all very high dollar and no generics. I was excited about the fact that companies might help through the donut hole, but you have to have almost no money or assets, so blessed as we are, we would not qualify. I've been disabled 5 years, and husband retired 12/31.

Prayers for your relief, and that you try not to worry too much about taking the meds you need despite the cost.