Comtan (Entacapone)

Comtan is called Comtess in Europe.

Information about Comtan (Entacapone)

Comtan is a medication used to enhance the effectiveness of certain Parkinson’s disease treatments. Its active ingredient, entacapone, is a selective catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor that helps to prolong the effects of levodopa, a common drug used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. By inhibiting COMT, entacapone prevents the breakdown of levodopa, thereby increasing its availability in the brain.

Product Highlights

• Used to treat Parkinson’s disease or Parkinsonism in combination with levodopa/carbidopa. It is particularly useful for managing motor symptoms and "wearing-off" effects that can occur with long-term levodopa therapy.

Key Ingredient

• Entacapone

Key Benefits

• Improves the effectiveness of levodopa treatment by preventing its premature breakdown.
• Helps manage motor fluctuations and "wearing-off" phenomena in Parkinson’s disease.
• Prolongs the action of levodopa, potentially leading to more stable control of Parkinson’s symptoms.

Direction of Use

• Dosage: Usually taken as one tablet of 200 mg with each dose of levodopa/carbidopa, up to a maximum of 2,000 mg per day. It is generally taken with each dose of levodopa/carbidopa, typically 3 to 4 times daily.
• Tablets should be swallowed whole with water. They may be taken with or without food.

Safety Concerns

• May include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and dizziness.
• Can include liver problems, severe diarrhea, or a sudden drop in blood pressure.
• Regular monitoring may be required to check liver function and manage potential side effects.

Avoid Comtan (Entacapone) If

• You are allergic to entacapone or any of the components in the medication.
• Avoid if you have severe liver impairment or active liver disease, as entacapone can affect liver function.
• Inform your healthcare provider about all other medications you are taking, as entacapone can interact with other drugs, potentially causing adverse effects or reducing effectiveness.
• Consult your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as the safety of entacapone in these conditions has not been fully established.