Entacapone, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: anti-Parkinson's

Generic and brand names: entacapone, oral; Comtan

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat Parkinson's disease. It is taken with another medicine that contains levodopa and carbidopa.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• liver disease

Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor antidepressant within 14 days of each other.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Follow your healthcare provider's directions exactly. Do not take more than 1600 mg of this medicine (eight 200-mg tablets) each day.

This medicine changes the way that levodopa works. While you are taking this medicine, your healthcare provider may change your levodopa/carbidopa dose, or the time between doses. You must take this medicine with levodopa and carbidopa.

Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You will need to reduce your dosage gradually so the symptoms of Parkinson's disease do not increase.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and medicines that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take medicines such as narcotics, muscle relaxants, or allergy medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

Your urine may change color to a brownish orange. This is not harmful.

Tell your provider if your Parkinson's symptoms get worse or come back between doses.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there); dizziness after you stand or sit up quickly (especially if it occurs several times); fainting; nausea that continues; severe stomach pain; severe muscle pain; severe confusion; unexplained fever.

Other: Diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, gas, uncontrolled muscle movements, tiredness, sweating.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• antibiotics such as ampicillin (Omnipen, Polycillin, Totacillin), chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin), and erythromycin (Erythrocin, E.E.S., EryPed, E-Mycin, Ilotycin)
• cholestyramine (Questran)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• medicine to treat breathing problems such as epinephrine (Adrenalin, AsthmaNefrin, Vaponefrin, Primatene), and isoproterenol (Isuprel)
• medicine to treat heart and circulation problems such as norepinephrine (Levophed), dopamine, and dobutamine
• methyldopa (Aldomet)
• other Parkinson's medicine such as apomorphine (Apokyn) and levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone (Stalevo)
• probenecid
• procarbazine (Matulane)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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