Compare Azilect vs. carbidopa / levodopa
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats Parkinson's disease.
Azilect (rasagiline) is one of the recommended medicines to treat Parkinson's disease. It is now available in generic, which makes it more affordable for people without insurance.
Treats Parkinson's disease.
Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) is the first choice treatment for Parkinson's disease.
Upsides
- Azilect (rasagiline) is one of the go-to medicines for Parkinson's disease. It can be used in early and late stages of the disease.
- Taking Azilect (rasagiline) by itself can help slow down Parkinson's disease, but it works better when it's given with other medicines.
- Azilect (rasagiline) is available as generic as well as brand name, so there are usually lower out-of-pocket costs for you with insurance.
- Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) is widely available as a regular pill, a quick dissolving pill or a liquid taken through a feeding tube.
- Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) is available in generic.
Downsides
- It can cause unusual cravings and changes in behavior in some people.
- Can make you very sleepy.
- Can stain your saliva, sweat and urine a dark color.
- Will lose its effect over time as your disease progresses.
- May need to be taken several times during day to control symptoms of Parkinson's disease
- May cause unusual cravings in some people.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
Price
Lowest price
$196.25
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$217.68
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Reviews
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Side effects
46possible side effects
- Difficulty controlling movement18%
- Headache14%
- Accidental injury12%
- Nausea12%
- Falls11%
- Weight loss9%
- Constipation9%
- Low blood pressure9%
- Joint pain8%
- Indigestion7%
- Dizziness7%
- Swelling in arms and legs7%
- Vomiting7%
- Dry mouth6%
- Rash6%
- Sleepiness6%
- Depression5%
- Flu-like symptoms5%
- Abdominal pain5%
- Loss of appetite5%
- Diarrhea5%
- Bruising5%
- Tingling or prickling sensation5%
- Back pain4%
- Cough4%
- Trouble sleeping4%
- Cold or flu4%
- Unusual dreams4%
- Hallucinations4%
- Eyelid problems3%
- Fever3%
- Stomach infection3%
- Stuffy nose3%
- Movement coordination problems3%
- Shortness of breath3%
- Infections3%
- Neck pain3%
- Sweating3%
- Tendon swelling3%
- Uncontrollable muscle movements3%
- Arthritis2%
- Weakness2%
- Gum swelling2%
- Excessive bleeding2%
- Hernia2%
- Muscle weakness2%
The Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Increased blood pressure
- Eating foods rich in tyramine, like soy sauce, fermented cheese and smoked meats
- Serotonin syndrome
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Fentanyl
- Tramadol
- Buspirone
- ADHD medicines
- Triptans
- dextromethorphan
- pseudoephedrine
- Falling asleep during the day
- Taking other medicines for Parkinson's disease
- Low blood pressure
- Movement problems
- Taking other medicines for Parkinson's disease
- Lack of impulse control
- Taking other medicines for Parkinson's disease
- Falling asleep during the day
- Taking other medicines for Parkinson's
- High fever and confusion
- Stopping Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) suddenly
- Changes in behavior
- Lack of impulse control
- Taking other medicines for Parkinson's disease
- Changes in blood pressure and falls