Teva Pharmaceuticals hails updated labeling restrictions on Parkinson’s drug Azilect

Teva hails milder restrictions on Parkinson’s drug

NEW YORK — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. said Monday U.S. health regulators scaled back dietary and health restrictions on its Parkinson’s Disease drug Azilect.

Teva said the new labeling eases concerns about drug interactions with other medications, including over-the-counter cold medicines.

The new labeling also states that patients no longer have to follow general dietary restrictions on levels of tyramine, an amino acid found in certain foods, including air-dried and fermented meats. Because of increased sensitivity in some patients, however, the new labeling recommends against high levels of the acid.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Azilect in 2006 as a daily treatment for Parkinson’s Disease.

Shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Inc. fell 9 cents to $53.40 in after-hours trading.