Date:
Mon, 23 Jan 2006 13:14:59 -0500Author: "ask dietitian <dietitian@forum.parkinson.org>
Subject: PD med made me ill - it contains aspartame - it is called -PARCOPA
Body:
Dear Dietitian,
Aspartame - Does it Affect PD? -
PARCOPA a Parkinson's disease drug - contains aspartame -
it is not labeled as "ASPARTAME"
Parkinson's patients - Should be well informed.
I object the use of - "phenylalanine" - chemical word usage - misleading
information from ...Schwarz Pharma - they need to tell the entire truth!
_______________________
MY PHONE CALL -
When I called them the makers of PARCOPA - Heidi - of Schwarz Pharma -
answered their infoline for PARCOPA -
I asked her what the sugar was they sweetened - PARCOPA with-
she answered - verbatim
"some diet sugar - I think" -
I answered her with - perhaps it is called - ASPARTAME?
It was then she timidly answered - I believe you are right.
I asked her to whom I could make a complaint and I was then forwarded to
Tracey Schulte,of Schwarz Pharma,
Tracey Shulte told me I was not the only PD patient that had called to
complain?
This PD drug was prescribed by my neurologist for me, he did not inform me
of the toxin aspartame was in the medicine -
PARCOPA -
has very bad side effects,
because I was misinformed , actually in the dark completely.
I have been very ill.
I do not wish to see any other patients made ill!
I am withdrawing from the use of this made for "Parkinson's Disease Drug"
-
which contains Aspartame also known as Nutra Sweet, also known
neurological toxin!
One of the ingredients of "Parcopa." made by Schwarz Pharma - states
PARCOPA...has phenylalanine, but this is deceptive, because phenylalanine
is ASPARTAME.
go to the website
www.parcopa.com
Why was this medicine not labeled - with at the very least
*product
contains Aspartame"
Sincerely,
Christine
***********************************************
Dear Christine,
I agree that all drugs and foods containing aspartame should clearly state that fact; some people have adverse reactions to it, while still others with phenylketonuria should not ingest aspartame. Parcopa is designed to dissolve in the mouth, and it's likely the manufacturers felt it would be more readily accepted if it were sweetened and thus included aspartame. However, in my opinion this information should be made clear to patients.
Best regards,
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD
--
For a Parkinson Tip of the Day visit:
http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/
peace to your heart,