An inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferase is entacapone (COMT). It is used in conjunction with levodopa and carbidopa (Sinemet) to treat the Parkinson’s disease symptoms that appear after a dose has worn off. Levodopa and carbidopa function more effectively thanks to entacapone because it allows more of them to enter the brain, where they have their effects.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you’re interested in using this drug for any other conditions.

Entacapone is available as an oral tablet. Up to 8 times a day, it is given with every levodopa and carbidopa dose. You can take entacapone with or without food. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts of your prescription label that you do not understand after carefully reading it. Entacapone should be taken as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Although it does not treat Parkinson’s disease, entacapone aids in managing its symptoms. Even if you feel well, keep taking entacapone. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking entacapone. Quitting entacapone abruptly could worsen your Parkinson’s condition and have other harmful consequences. If required, your doctor will likely reduce your dose gradually.

Before taking entacapone,

• If you have an allergy to entacapone or any other medication, tell your doctor and pharmacist.
• Ampicillin, apomorphine (Zydis), bitolterol (Tornalate), chloramphenicol (AK-Chlor, Chloromycetin), cholestyramine (Cholybar, Questran, Questran Lite, etc), and other drowsy-causing drugs should be mentioned to your doctor and pharmacy (including medications for anxiety and sleeping pills), erythromycin (E-Base, E.E.S., E-Mycin, etc.), dobutamine (Dobutrex), epinephrine (AsthmaHaler, EpiPen Auto-Injector, Primatene Mist, etc.), and isoetharine (Arm-a-Med Isoetharine, Beta-2, Bronkometer, others), probenecid (Benemid), phenelzine (Nardil), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), tranylcypromine (Parnate), isoproterenol (Dispos-a-Med Isoproterenol, Isuprel, Medihaler-Iso, among others), methyldopa (Aldomet), vitamins, and herbal remedies.
• If you have liver disease now or formerly had it, or if you have a history of drinking, let your doctor know.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking entacapone.
• Inform the surgeon or dentist that you are taking entacapone if you are undergoing surgery, including dental surgery.
• You should be aware that this medicine may cause you to feel sleepy. Until you know how entacapone affects you, avoid using machinery or driving a car.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If your next dose is approaching, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing regimen. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second dose.

Side effects from entacapone are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Uneasy stomach
• Movements that are uncontrollable
• Abdominal pain
• Drowsiness

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Having trouble breathing
• Hallucinations
• Acute fever
• Confusion
• Muscular rigidity
• Weakness, whether feverish or not

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. When you stand up after sitting or lying down, especially when you first start taking entacapone, you can feel faint. Make sure to stand up slowly, especially after sitting or lying down for a while, to avoid this issue.

Your urine may turn brownish-orange after using entacapone. This effect is typical and harmless.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.