Comtan

Generic Name

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.

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

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.

Who should not take entacapone?

• 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.

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.

You can take entacapone with or without food.

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?

Symptoms of an entacapone overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while taking entacapone?

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

Entacapone side effects

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• fever and confusion;

• muscle pain; or

• hallucinations.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Notify your doctor if you experience

• abnormal movements of the muscles;

• nausea or vomiting;

• discolored urine;

• diarrhea;

• abdominal pain;

• dry mouth;

• dizziness;

• anxiety;

• drowsiness;

• increased sweating; or

• shortness of breath.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect entacapone?

Before taking entacapone, tell your doctor if you are taking

• isoproterenol (Isuprel, Medihaler-Iso, Duo-Medihaler);

• epinephrine (Epi-Pen, Ana-Guard, Bronkaid Mist, Primatene Mist Inhaler, others);

• norepinephrine (Levophed Bitartrate);

• dopamine (Intropin);

• dobutamine (Dobutrex);

• methyldopa (Aldomet);

• isoetherine (Bronkosol, Bronkometer);

• bitolterol (Tornalate)

• probenecid (Benemid);

• cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite, Locholest);

• erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, Eryc, PCE Dispertab, E.E.S., and others);

• rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin); or

• ampicillin (Principen, Totacillin, Omnipen, and others).

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

Entacapone may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with entacapone. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about entacapone written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Entacapone is available with a prescription under the brand name Comtan. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Comtan 200 mg-oval, brownish-orange tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.