Information about Tasmar (Tolcapone)
Tasmar is a prescription medication that contains the active ingredient tolcapone, which is used to treat Parkinson's disease. It is classified as a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor and works by increasing the effectiveness of levodopa, a medication commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Tolcapone helps to reduce the breakdown of dopamine in the brain, improving motor control in Parkinson's patients.
Product Highlights
- Tasmar is primarily used as an adjunctive therapy to levodopa for patients with Parkinson's disease who are experiencing “off” periods, during which the effects of levodopa wear off before the next dose is due.
- By inhibiting COMT, tolcapone increases the amount of levodopa available to the brain, helping to alleviate symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as tremors, stiffness, and motor fluctuations.
Key Ingredient
Key Benefits
- Tolcapone can help reduce the motor fluctuations (e.g., tremors, rigidity) that occur in Parkinson's disease by enhancing the effects of levodopa.
- By inhibiting the COMT enzyme, Tasmar helps extend the duration of levodopa’s action, helping to smooth out "off" periods and improve the consistency of symptom control.
- It is used in combination with other Parkinson's disease medications, providing a complementary effect when other treatments are not fully effective.
Direction of Use
- The typical starting dose of Tasmar is 100 mg three times a day, but the exact dosage may vary depending on the patient's response and the severity of their Parkinson’s symptoms.
- Tasmar should be taken with or without food, as directed by your doctor. Take the tablets whole with water; do not crush or chew them.
- It’s important to follow up with your healthcare provider regularly to monitor the effectiveness and any side effects of the treatment.
Safety Concerns
- One of the most significant safety concerns with tolcapone is the risk of liver toxicity, which can be severe and potentially life-threatening. Liver function should be monitored regularly with blood tests (e.g., liver enzyme levels) while taking Tasmar. Liver function should be evaluated before starting treatment and regularly monitored during therapy.
- Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, and sleep disturbances. More severe side effects include liver damage, hallucinations, confusion, and dyskinesia (involuntary movements).
- Some patients may experience orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure upon standing), which can lead to dizziness or fainting.
- Tolcapone can cause psychiatric side effects such as hallucinations, confusion, and depression, which should be closely monitored, especially in elderly patients.
Avoid Tasmar (Tolcapone) If
- Tasmar should be avoided in patients with active liver disease or a history of liver dysfunction, as it may exacerbate liver problems.
- Avoid using Tasmar if there is significant elevation of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] or aspartate aminotransferase [AST]) at baseline.
- If you are allergic to tolcapone or any of its ingredients, you should not take this medication.
- Tasmar is not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary, as its safety in these conditions has not been fully established.
- Use with caution in patients with a history of heart problems, especially those with severe cardiovascular conditions.
- If the patient does not respond to levodopa, the combination of levodopa and tolcapone may not be effective, and other treatments should be considered.
