entacapone Health Article

Generic name(s):

entacapone

Brand name(s):

Comtan

What is the most important information I should know about entacapone?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Entacapone may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when rising from a sitting or lying position. To avoid falls, rise slowly from a sitting or lying position.

Hallucinations may occur with entacapone. Call your doctor if you experience hallucinations.

What is entacapone?

When used with levodopa and carbidopa, entacapone increases levels of levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa, Sinemet) in the body.

Entacapone is used with carbidopa and levodopa to treat patients with Parkinson's disease who experience the signs and symptoms of end-of-dose "wearing-off". Entacapone is used only in combination with carbidopa and levodopa. It has no effect if it is used on its own.

Entacapone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in the medication guide.

Who should not take entacapone?

Do not take entacapone without first talking to your doctor if you

• have liver disease;

• are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); or

• have ever experienced muscle damage or elevated body temperature and confusion because of a medication.

You may not be able to take entacapone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Entacapone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether entacapone will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether entacapone passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take entacapone?

Take entacapone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Entacapone should always be taken with levodopa/carbidopa. Entacapone has no antiparkinsonian effect of its own.

Take entacapone with a full glass of water.

You can take entacapone with or without food.

Do not stop taking entacapone suddenly. You may require a gradual dosage reduction to prevent withdrawal effects. Store entacapone at room temperature in a tight container away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an entacapone overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while taking entacapone?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Entacapone may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. To avoid falls, rise slowly.

Avoid alcohol or use it with caution while taking entacapone. Alcohol may increase drowsiness while taking entacapone.