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Compare Tasmar vs. Azilect

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

Key takeaways

Tolcapone (Tasmar) and Rasagiline (Azilect) are both medications used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD), but they work in different ways and have distinct uses. Tolcapone is a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor that must be used together with carbidopa/levodopa to help stabilize levodopa levels in the brain, thereby increasing dopamine and relieving PD symptoms. In contrast, Rasagiline is a monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitor that can be taken alone or with other PD medications to prevent the breakdown of dopamine, also helping to control PD symptoms. Tolcapone is taken three times a day, while Rasagiline is taken once daily. Tolcapone has a significant risk of causing serious liver damage, requiring regular liver monitoring, whereas Rasagiline can cause high blood pressure if taken with foods high in tyramine or certain medications. Both medications can cause sleepiness, dizziness, and hallucinations, but Rasagiline also carries a risk of serotonin syndrome if taken with antidepressants.

  • Tolcapone (Tasmar)
    Rasagiline (Azilect)
  • Tolcapone (Tasmar)
    Rasagiline (Azilect)

  • Summary of Tasmar vs. Azilect

    Summary for COMT inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Tolcapone (Tasmar) is an oral add-on medication for Parkinson's disease (PD). It's usually used when carbidopa/levodopa isn't controlling PD symptoms well enough.

    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 Tasmar vs. Azilect

    Indications for
    •Parkinson's disease (PD); as add-on treatment to carbidopa/levodopa
    Indications for
    •Parkinson's disease (PD)

  • Pros and Cons of Tasmar vs. Azilect

    Pros and Const for COMT inhibitor
    Pros
    •Can help relieve PD symptoms that occur between levodopa doses; sometimes called the "wearing-off" effect
    •For the brand medication (Tasmar), the manufacturer offers a copay savings card for those with private insurance.
    Cons
    •Can cause liver failure; not a good option for people with liver problems
    •Has a lot of side effects
    •Cannot be taken alone; only used as an add-on medication
    •Can be expensive
    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 Tasmar vs. Azilect

    Common Side Effects for
    •Involuntary movements (dyskinesia, 42%)
    •Nausea (30%)
    •Sleep problems (24%)
    •Excessive dreaming (21%)
    •Muscle contractions and cramps (17—19%)
    •Loss of appetite (19%)
    •Sleepiness (18%)
    •Low blood pressure (17%)
    •Diarrhea (16%)
    •Dizziness (13%)
    •Confusion (11%)
    •Headache (10%)
    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 Tasmar vs. Azilect

    Common Side Effects for
    •Serious liver damage
    •Sleepiness or falling asleep during activities
    •Low blood pressure and fainting
    •Hallucinations and changes in behavior and thoughts
    •Impulsive behavior
    •Muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis)
    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 Tasmar vs. Azilect

    Learn more about Tolcapone
    Learn more about Rasagiline

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