Lonnie Ali Champions 'Fight For MORE' Campaign

PHOENIX, April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Lonnie Ali, wife of Muhammad Ali, this week will launch Fight For MORE -- a national campaign that provides support, educational tools and resources to people who care for the more than 1.5 million patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

"Parkinson's disease affects more than just those who have the disease. As the wife, friend and confidant of someone with PD, I can tell you that our family and close friends have been profoundly impacted as well," said Lonnie. "While my husband is and always will be a fighter, everyone affected by Parkinson's disease needs someone in their corner. By empowering caregivers with the knowledge and resources they need, this campaign will help make a difference."

A recent national survey of PD caregivers highlighted the challenges they face. The majority of respondents found that PD compromised their social activities, such as enjoying hobbies and going out to dinner or a movie, which underscores the impact of PD on their lives.

To help support these caregivers, Fight For MORE provides useful resources, community connections and treatment information on the Web site, http://www.fightformore.com/. A caregiver tip sheet, developed with Lonnie Ali and a leading Parkinson's disease specialist, includes tips based on Lonnie's real life experiences on how to keep loved ones active, juggle family commitments and manage medications. Survey results showed managing medications was difficult for the majority of caregivers due to side effects and the high number of medications patients take.

"One of the biggest challenges that patients and caregivers experience is managing treatment schedules and getting the most active 'on time' possible," Rajesh Pahwa, M.D., Professor of Neurology and Director of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center. "This campaign will help patients and caregivers know about new resources, including some of the treatment options that can provide more active 'on time' -- time when patients have less symptoms and their disease is more in control."

Fight for MORE also is helping raise up to $100,000 for PD research and education. As part of the campaign, Valeant Pharmaceuticals will donate $10 to the Parkinson's Unity Walk for each person who visits http://www.fightformore.com/ and signs up to support the campaign until we reach the goal of raising $100,000. Unity Walk is the nation's largest grassroots fundraiser for PD research.

"The Parkinson's Unity Walk is encouraged to know that the Fight For MORE campaign recognizes the important role of the caregiver," said Carol Walton, Executive Director and Board Member of the Parkinson's Unity Walk. "Visit the Web site and support the campaign to raise funds for Parkinson's research and support those that endure this disease."

About Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive disorder of the central nervous system that belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders. In the United States, 1.5 million Americans currently have PD. It is estimated that 60,000 new patients are diagnosed each year. While the condition usually develops after the age of 65, 40 percent of people diagnosed are under age 60. PD affects nearly equal numbers of men and women, with no obvious social, ethnic, economic or geographic boundaries. There presently is no cure for the disease, and the cause is unknown.

About Valeant

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International is a global, publicly traded, research-based specialty pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets products primarily in the areas of neurology, infectious disease and dermatology. More information about Valeant can be found at http://www.valeant.com/. Valeant is the maker of Zelapar(R) (selegiline HCl), the first Parkinson's disease treatment to use a novel oral delivery system called Zydis(R) Technology, which allows the tablets to dissolve within seconds in the mouth and deliver more active drug at a lower dose.

As a consultant to Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Rajesh Pahwa, M.D. provided input in some of the resources for the Fight For MORE campaign.

About Zelapar(R)

Zelapar is a special formulation of the drug selegiline that adds more active hours for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Doctors may recommend adding Zelapar to levodopa/carbidopa treatment when patients are experiencing a reduced response to this therapy.

Do not take Zelapar if you are allergic to selegiline or any of the other ingredients in Zelapar. Zelapar should not be taken with certain medications. Discuss any medicine you are taking with your doctor. Zelapar should not be taken with meperedine (DEMEROL(R)) or other opiods. Rare cases of high blood pressure have been associated with taking conventional forms of selegiline with foods containing tyramine. Zelapar may cause you to have low blood pressure when you stand (this is more common in older patients than in younger ones). If you are pregnant, you must speak to your doctor about whether to take Zelapar. (Zelapar should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.) Do not take more than 2 tablets (2.5 mg) a day.

Zelapar was very well tolerated in clinical trials. The most commonly reported side effects were dizziness, nausea, pain, headache, trouble sleeping, runny nose, involuntary movements, back pain, skin disorders, mouth inflammation, and upper stomach pain. In addition, 5.2% of patients discontinued Zelapar therapy due to side effects (vs. 1% with placebo).

You may need your levodopa dose reduced after starting Zelapar therapy. Be sure to speak with your doctor if you experience any side effects.

For complete Prescribing Information, visit http://www.zelapar.com/