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.
