Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Entacapone vs. Azilect

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Entacapone (Comtan) and Rasagiline (Azilect) are both used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD), but they work differently and have distinct uses. Entacapone is a COMT inhibitor that must be taken with carbidopa/levodopa to help these medications last longer in your body, while Rasagiline is a MAO-B inhibitor that can be taken alone or with other PD medications to increase dopamine levels in your brain. Entacapone needs to be taken multiple times a day with each dose of carbidopa/levodopa, whereas Rasagiline is taken once daily. Entacapone can cause side effects like involuntary movements and nausea, while Rasagiline can lead to serotonin syndrome if taken with certain medications and requires you to avoid foods high in tyramine. Both medications can make you very sleepy and cause low blood pressure, but Rasagiline is also known for causing high blood pressure if you eat tyramine-rich foods. Rasagiline and Entacapone are available as both a brand-name and generic medication.

  • Entacapone (Comtan)
    Rasagiline (Azilect)
  • Entacapone (Comtan)
    Rasagiline (Azilect)

  • Summary of Entacapone vs. Azilect

    Summary for COMT inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Entacapone (Comtan) is used for Parkinson's disease (PD) and helps relieve symptoms like shakiness and slowed movement. It's used along with the combination medication carbidopa/levodopa. Entacapone (Comtan) is a good option for people whose levodopa wears off before their next dose ("wearing-off" periods). But, this medication has to be taken every time you take carbidopa/levodopa for it to work properly. Some side effects include involuntary movements (dyskinesia) and nausea. Entacapone (Comtan) is available as a brand-name and generic medication.

    Summary for MAO-B inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Rasagiline (Azilect) is one of the first-choice options to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), such as shakiness, stiff muscles, and slowed movement. Rasagiline (Azilect) is taken once a day and is available in a lower-cost generic form, but it can make you very sleepy.

  • Indications of Entacapone vs. Azilect

    Indications for
    •Relief of "wearing-off" symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease who are taking carbidopa/levodopa medications (e.g., Sinemet, Rytary)
    Indications for
    •Parkinson's disease (PD)

  • Pros and Cons of Entacapone vs. Azilect

    Pros and Const for COMT inhibitor
    Pros
    •Helps carbidopa/levodopa relieve your PD symptoms better
    •Can be useful for people with advanced PD or people who experience "wearing-off" periods with their carbidopa/levodopa
    •Can take with or without food
    Cons
    •Must take with every dose of carbidopa/levodopa to see an effect on PD symptoms; it has no effect when it's taken alone
    •Can cause involuntary movements or other movement problems
    •Can cause nausea, especially when you first start taking the medication
    Pros and Const for MAO-B inhibitor
    Pros
    •One of the first-choice options for PD, especially for movement problems
    •Can be used to treat early PD
    •Taken once a day
    •Available in a lower-cost, generic version
    Cons
    •Can cause a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome if taken with certain medications
    •Cannot eat foods with very large amounts of tyramine while taking rasagiline (Azilect), because it can raise your blood pressure
    •Not recommended if you have moderate-to-severe liver disease, because the medication can reach very high levels in your body and put you at higher risk for side effects

  • Common Side Effects of Entacapone vs. Azilect

    Common Side Effects for
    •Involuntary movements (dyskinesia, 25%)
    •Nausea (14%)
    •Muscle spasms (hyperkinesia, 10%)
    •Changes in the color of your urine (10%)
    •Diarrhea (10%)
    •Slowed muscle movements (hypokinesia, 9%)
    •Stomach pain (8%)
    •Dizziness (8%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (14%)
    •Joint pain (7%)
    •Stomach upset (7%)
    •Depression (5%)
    •Flu symptoms (5%)
    •Falls (5%)

    Note: Percentages are based on taking the medication alone

  • Warnings of Entacapone vs. Azilect

    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness or falling asleep while doing daily activities
    •Low blood pressure and fainting
    •Hallucinations and changes in behavior and thoughts
    •Difficulty controlling impulsive behavior
    •Diarrhea and inflamed colon (colitis)
    •Muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis)
    •High fevers and confusion
    •Interactions with other medications
    Common Side Effects for
    •High blood pressure
    •Serotonin syndrome
    •Sleepiness or falling asleep during activities
    •Low blood pressure
    •Hallucinations and changes in behavior and thoughts
    •Difficulty controlling impulsive behavior
    •High fevers and confusion

  • Prices with our coupons for Entacapone vs. Azilect

    Learn more about Entacapone
    Learn more about Rasagiline

Compare other Parkinson's Disease drugs

Entacapone vs ApokynEntacapone vs AzilectEntacapone vs BromocriptineEntacapone vs CarbidopaEntacapone vs Carbidopa LevodopaEntacapone vs Carbidopa Levodopa EntacaponeEntacapone vs Carbidopa Levodopa Extended ReleaseEntacapone vs DuopaEntacapone vs EldeprylEntacapone vs MirapexEntacapone vs RequipEntacapone vs RytaryEntacapone vs TasmarMirapex vs Carbidopa Levodopa EntacaponeEldepryl vs AzilectEldepryl vs CarbidopaEldepryl vs Carbidopa LevodopaInbrija vs ApokynMirapex vs AzilectMirapex vs CarbidopaMirapex vs Carbidopa LevodopaMirapex vs Carbidopa Levodopa Extended ReleaseMirapex vs DuopaNeupro vs AzilectNeupro vs Carbidopa LevodopaRequip vs AzilectRequip vs Carbidopa LevodopaTasmar vs AzilectTasmar vs CarbidopaTasmar vs Carbidopa Levodopa
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.