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Parkinson's Disease Community

Includes Expert Content

Reply: Azilect/Sinemet in elderly and interactions with a...

Thank you very much, Dr. Stacy! (I will keep an eye on her caffeine intake... In fact,...

Posted by Milmanda

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Azilect/Sinemet in elderly and interactions with antidepressants Thank you very much, Dr. Stacy! (I will keep an eye on her caffeine intake... In fact,...

Includes Expert Content

Azilect/Sinemet in elderly and interactions with a...

My mother (75 year-old, osteoarthritis, depression) was diagnosed with PD one month ago. I...

Posted by Milmanda

My mother (75 year-old, osteoarthritis, depression) was diagnosed with PD one month ago. I was worried about slowliness, confusion and lack of concentration and, suspecting dementia, led her to a neurologist. To my surprise, after a very brief evaluation, the doctor saw it clear: mild PD, predominantly in the right side. He prescribed Azilect, as he found her functional state to be fairly good, and Azilect could be neuroprotective, slowing PD progression.

Azilect seemed to be attractive, but I read about it, and I saw contradictory information about neuroprotection, and, importantly, about interactions with antidepressants. My mother has been on escitalopram 15 and mirtazapine for three years (maybe three years with non-diagnosed PD).

So, I seeked a second opinion. We live in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and it is not easy to find highly specialized doctors, but I had the luck to get an appointment with the chief of the Unit of Movement Disorders in our University Hospital. Afther a more thorough examination, this second doctor confirmed mild PD, but did not recommend Azilect at all. He said Azilect is not the best option for elderly and, specially, he said that interactions with antidepressants could be severe. So, he put my mother on Sinemet Plus (25/100): 1/2, 1, 1/2, slowly introduced, with the aim of having a 1-1-1 protocol.

Some weeks ago, Mum started Sinemet and she seems to have some good effects (balance, stiffness), but I am a bit surprised to see more tremor and eye fasciculations, which I do not know if could be attributed to Sinemet.

And my worst worry is if Sinemet is really the best option. I know of its medium-long-term effects, and I would like to delay its use... But, at the same time, I do not want to prevent my mother to have good quality of life (I do actually think that PD was limiting her life a lot).

So I would like to ask you about the options Azilect/Sinemet. To your knowledge, or in your experience, does it make sense to start Sinemet in an old person, even if her symptoms are not very severe? Would it Azilect a better option? any insights about risks of interactions with antidepressants?

I do not even know if we could cut Sinemet Plus now, but I have conflicting feelings about this otherwise miracle drug.

Please, excuse for this long post. But I feel insecure with my English and want you to understand our situation.

I am stressed, worried and shocked, but happy to have found you.

Thank you very much in advance!View Thread

Posted byMilmanda

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Azilect/Sinemet in elderly and interactions with antidepressants My mother (75 year-old, osteoarthritis, depression) was diagnosed with PD one month ago. I...

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