Uses
What is entacapone used for?
Entacapone is commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease, a condition that affects the part of your brain that controls your movements.
Entacapone may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does entacapone work (mechanism of action)?
Entacapone belongs to a group of medicines called catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors. It is believed to slow down the breakdown of levodopa, another medicine used to treat Parkinson’s disease. This helps extend the effect of levodopa.
How is entacapone supplied (dosage forms)?
Entacapone is available as Comtan and generic entacapone in the following dosage form that is taken by mouth.
- 200 mg oral tablets
How should I store entacapone?
Entacapone should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of entacapone?
The most common side effects of entacapone are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Uncontrollable, involuntary movements (see below)
- Changes in urine color
- Diarrhea (see below)
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
There may be other side effects of entacapone that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of entacapone?
While less common, the most serious side effects of entacapone are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Entacapone may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking entacapone and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Sleepiness. Entacapone can make you sleepy, sometimes very suddenly and without warning signs. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how entacapone affects you.
Low Blood Pressure Upon Standing (Orthostatic Hypotension). Entacapone may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up from a seated or lying position. This may also cause fainting. To help prevent this, be careful not to get up too quickly. If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down right away until the dizziness stops, then take your time getting up again. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of orthostatic hypotension.
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting upon standing
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Feeling weak
Hallucinations or Psychotic-like Behaviors. Entacapone may cause hallucinations or psychotic-like behaviors. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following (either you have noticed on your own or you have been told by others).
- Hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or otherwise perceiving things that have turned out to be false
- Delusional thoughts (such as false belief that you are being controlled)
- Disorganized thoughts (such as jumping between topics or having a hard time focusing)
- Sudden decline in self-care (such as personal hygiene or academic/work performances)
- Aggressive behavior
Unusual or Compulsive Behaviors. Entacapone can cause some people to have strong unusual and uncontrolled urges (compulsions), including gambling, sex, shopping, or eating. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you or someone you know notices that you have new or worsening strong urges or behaviors.
Diarrhea. Diarrhea is common with entacapone. You may get diarrhea within a week of starting entacapone or many months later. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following.
- Severe diarrhea
- Diarrhea that does not go away
- Diarrhea with weakness, dizziness, or fever
Uncontrollable, Involuntary Movements (Dyskinesia). Entacapone may cause or worsen involuntary movement problems, including shakiness, stiffness, or jerkiness. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any or have worsening or more frequent unusual/uncontrolled movements.
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use entacapone?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take entacapone.
- Entacapone
- Comtan
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific entacapone products they stock.
What should I know about entacapone before using it?
Do not take entacapone unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share entacapone with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep entacapone out of the reach of children.
Do not stop taking entacapone without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping too quickly may cause serious side effects. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- High fever
- Muscle stiffness or rigidity, where it is hard to move
- Changes in your breathing or heart rate
- Increased sweating
- Confusion
Entacapone may cause you to feel sleepy, especially if you already have conditions or take medicines that can make you drowsy. You may feel sudden drowsiness in the middle of an activity without warning signs. Entacapone may also cause dizziness, especially when you stand up quickly after lying or sitting down. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how entacapone affects you.
Entacapone may change the color of your pee to a brownish orange color. This is a common side effect and is nothing to be concerned about.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using entacapone?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if entacapone is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Psychotic Disorder. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia or delusional disorder. Entacapone may increase the risk of psychosis.
Sleepiness. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea or narcolepsy that make you more sleepy than usual or if you feel that you are prone to feeling drowsy during the day. Entacapone may increase the risk of sudden daytime drowsiness.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Low blood pressure
- Uncontrollable, involuntary movements (dyskinesia)
- Unusual urges such as gambling, binge eating, compulsive shopping, or increased sex drive
- Liver problems
Other Medicines and Supplements. Entacapone may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using/taking entacapone, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how entacapone could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take entacapone while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if entacapone passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take entacapone while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does entacapone interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between entacapone and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect entacapone. The risk of drowsiness or sleepiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking entacapone.
Does entacapone interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking entacapone.
- A nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or isocarboxazid (Marplan), which is a medicine usually used for depression
- Isoproterenol, which is a medicine used for slow heart rate or heart block
- Epinephrine, such as Epipen, which is a medicine used for severe allergic reactions
- A catecholamine medicine such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and dobutamine, which is a medicine usually used for severely reduced blood pressure or reduced heart function
- Methyldopa, which is a medicine used to reduce blood pressure
- Apomorphine (Apokyn), which is a medicine used to treat Parkinson’s disease
- Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), which is a blood thinner
- Probenecid, which is a medicine commonly used for gout
- A bile acid sequestrant, such as cholestyramine, which is a medicine to lower cholesterol
- Erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others) or ampicillin, which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
- Rifampin, which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
- Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, and medicines for anxiety
Entacapone may alter the blood levels of some other medicines. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with entacapone. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much entacapone?
If you or someone else has used too much entacapone, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of entacapone?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Are you currently using Entacapone (Comtan)?
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