Entacapone tablets 100 mg for Parkinson disease

What are Entacapone (Comtan, Stalevo) tablets 100 mg for Parkinson disease?

Entacapone is a selective inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferase, an enzyme that eliminates certain compounds in dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. Catechol-O-methyltransferase also metabolizes levodopa, an amino acid used for the treatment of patients with Parkinson disease. Entacapone tablets inhibit this action in periphery, increasing plasma levels of levodopa and prolonging its action. When used together with levodopa/carbidopa or levodopa/benserazide hydrochloride, Entacapone tablets help to improve the end-of-dose motor fluctuations (wearing-off phenomenon) in patients with Parkinson disease. 

Active principles: entacapone

Amount: 100 tablets

Maker: Towa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan

Indications: prolonging the duration of levodopa efficacy in patients with Parkinson's disease.

How to take

Adults should take 1 tablet (100 mg of the active principle) at a time, with levodopa/carbidopa or levodopa/benserazide hydrochloride. The dosage may be increased to 2 tablets at a time according to the symptoms. However, daily administration should not exceed 8 times a day. 

Contraindications: do not use for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Do not use for patients with malignant syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, or history of them.

Important information

• These tablets may cause drowsiness, sleepiness or orthostatic hypotension. Avoid driving a car, working at heights or operating dangerous mechanisms while taking them.
• The urine may become red-brown color, that's normal. However, if the urine becomes dark-red and or occurs together with other symptoms like muscle pain, consult with your doctor immediately.
• If a patient or their family notices unusual behavioral symptoms like gambling, excessive shopping or drastically increased sexual desire, consult with your doctor. 
• If an allergic reaction occurs, patient needs to stop using the medicine and consult with their doctor. If patient is taking any other medication or treatment, they should consult with their doctor in advance.