Key takeaways
Neupro (rotigotine) and Azilect (rasagiline) are both used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD), but they have some key differences. Neupro (rotigotine) is a dopamine agonist that comes as a patch you apply to your skin once a day. It can also treat moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome (RLS). On the other hand, Azilect is a monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitor taken orally once a day and is available in a lower-cost generic form. While both medications can make you very sleepy, Neupro can cause skin irritation where the patch is applied, and Azilect requires you to avoid foods high in tyramine, like aged cheeses and cured meats, to prevent dangerous spikes in blood pressure. Additionally, Azilect can interact with depression medications, leading to a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome, whereas Neupro does not have this specific interaction.
