Entacapone

Entacapone is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. This medicine helps to treat excessive shaking by slowing down the body movements. It works by increasing the amount of dopamine, a chemical messenger that is needed to control the abnormal movements. Entacapone has no antiparkinsonian effect on its own. It is used in combination with carbidopa/levodopa. It helps to treat wearing-off symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms, and poor muscle control. It may be taken with or without food, preferably at bedtime. However, take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly without talking to the doctor as it may worsen your condition. Your doctor may advise for periodic skin examination as it can cause melanoma. Some common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, confusion, constipation, insomnia(difficulty sleeping), nightmares, and increased sweating. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. It is common to have diarrhea with this medicine, so drink plenty of fluids and watch for weight loss. Inform your doctor if you develop any unusual changes in mood, an abnormally high sex drive, and hallucinations. It may cause your urine to change in a brownish-orange color but it is not harmful and usually resolves once treatment is completed. Please consult your doctor if these side effects worry you or do not go away. Entacapone is a selective reversible inhibitor which is given in combination with levodopa. It works by inhibiting a chemical messenger [catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT)] which in turn helps in increasing the amount of dopamine (chemical messenger) in the brain. Thus, an adequate amount of dopamine in the brain helps to coordinate body movements. This is how it works to control symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

• Parkinson's disease

Entacapone is a selective, reversible, peripheral inhibitor of COMT, an enzyme involved in the metabolism of dopamine and levodopa. It is used in patients with Parkinson's disease and "end-of-dose" motor fluctuations that cannot be stabilised on levodopa combinations alone.

Adult Dose: Oral Adjunct to levodopa treatment in Parkinson's disease Adult: 200 mg w/ each levodopa/dopa decarboxylase inhibitor dose. Max: 200 mg 10 times daily (2,000 mg daily). Hepatic Impairment Safety and efficacy not established Renal Dose: Renal Impairment Dose adjustment not necessary

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Entacapone may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

If you miss a dose of Entacapone, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.

Common: • Nausea • Vomiting • Fatigue • Confusion • Constipation • Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping) • Nightmare • Hallucination • Increased sweating • Fall • Urine discoloration • Dizziness • Diarrhea • Muscle coordination impaired • Ischemic heart disease • Heart attack • Abdominal pain • Dryness in mouth

[CAUTION] Entacapone may cause dizziness or weakness due to low blood pressure. Do not drive if these symptoms occur. You have been prescribed Entacapone to enhance the effectiveness of levodopa for treatment of Parkinson's disease. It can make you very sleepy. Don't drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you. To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Inform your doctor if you develop impulsive, unusual behavior and/or an abnormally high sex drive. Talk to your doctor in case you develop hallucinations or other changes in your behavior. It is common to have diarrhea with this drug. Therefore, drink plenty of fluids and watch for weight loss. Do not get worried if you notice a reddish-brown discoloration in your urine as it is harmless in nature. Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.

History of neuroleptic malignant syndrome and nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis. Phaeochromocytoma. Hepatic impairment.

Drugs metabolised by COMT e.g. adrenaline, apomorphine, dobutamine, dopamine, isoprenaline, methyldopa, noradrenaline and remiterol. Iron preparations and levodopa. Avoid ethanol.

[UNSAFE] Entacapone may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] Entacapone may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] Entacapone is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Entacapone is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Entacapone may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor. [UNSAFE] Entacapone is probably unsafe to use in patients with liver disease and should be avoided. Please consult your doctor.

Parkinson's disease tremors ,Insomnia. Use Dhanadanayanadi kashayam 15ml twice a day with 15 ml water before food and Zandopa 10 grams twice a day witk milk after food and Tab Dhanvantari Vati 1-0-1 after food for 2 months My mother suffering from Parkinson disease from 7 year , any affective medicine ?? Both hand and leg is shaking ,hardly stand up from bed himself, using parking tablet, syndopa plus and parkitidin Dear sir Parkinson's can only be managed with Homeopathy. There are few medicines which are used to improve quality of life and decrease disease progression Parkinson's disease for 25 yrs. Taking allopathy Suggestions needed Kindly consult to any good Ayuvedic Panchkarma center. Panchkarma therapy will give you some result . Hi my mom had Parkinson's disease but didn't get any operation but using tablets syndopa last night she take another tablet of pain killer with it by the morning my mom to full shivering of hands and legs so what do u suggest to do? need to examine to opine My father suffering from Parkinson's disease Suffering from last 7year Treatment is going on of neurologist yes than what is the problem treatment for Parkinson's disease taking now syndopa cr 125, raslect n other medicine isn't this disease fully curable pls help n give u r opinion MEDICINE CONTROLS THE SYMTOMS. IF MEDICINES FAIL TO CONTROL THE DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION SURGERY IS BEING DONE. At times my fingers shiver when I hold cup, paper etc it's subconscious as in I do not notice it person Accompanying me notices I have no other health issues. Does this indicate Parkinson's disease? How is it diagnosed? not sure; show to neuro My father has parkinson's disease from last 12 year. In last 2012 he got severe pneumonia and has been admitted in AIIMS .He was treated with various antibiotics.he came out but got bed ridden after that.From last few year he just sit on his own. he is currently taking bexol 1mg three times, syndopa 125 plus 3 times, ropark XL 3 times.now from few year he got hallucination and cound not sleep in night and constantly talking in night(Some Nights not always).During his stay in AIIMS Dr. prescribed quetiapine 12.5 mg which he is not currently taking.please advice some medicien so that he atleast can sleep at night. Start Oleanz 2.5 mg at nite