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|Entacapone

Entacapone

Entacapone is used for:

Treating Parkinson disease when used with levodopa/carbidopa.

Entacapone is a catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor. It works by increasing the levels of levodopa/carbidopa in the brain, thereby enhancing its effectiveness.

Do NOT use Entacapone if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Entacapone
• you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine, tranylcypromine) within the last 2 weeks. This does not include the medicine selegiline.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Entacapone :

Some medical conditions may interact with Entacapone . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver disease or rhabdomyolysis (muscle weakness or aching)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Entacapone . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Ampicillin, chloramphenicol, cholestyramine, erythromycin, nonselective MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine, tranylcypromine), probenecid, or rifampicin because the actions and side effects of Entacapone may be increased
• Apomorphine, bitolterol, dobutamine, dopamine, isoetharine, isoproterenol, methyldopa, or sympathomimetics (eg, epinephrine) because the actions and side effects may be increased by Entacapone

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Entacapone may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Entacapone :

Use Entacapone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Entacapone may be taken with or without food.
• Entacapone should be given each time a dose of levodopa/carbidopa is given.
• If you miss a dose of Entacapone , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Entacapone .

Important safety information:

• Entacapone may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Entacapone .
• Using Entacapone alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Avoid drinking alcohol and taking other medicines that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Entacapone .
• Hallucinations and nausea may occur while taking Entacapone , especially in the beginning of therapy.
• You may experience an increase in involuntary movements while taking Entacapone .
• This medicine may color the urine a brownish orange. This is normal.
• Before you have any medical treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor that you are using Entacapone .
• LAB TESTS may be performed to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Entacapone during pregnancy. It is unknown if Entacapone is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are taking Entacapone , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Do not stop taking Entacapone suddenly. If therapy is stopped, it should be tapered gradually.

Possible side effects of Entacapone :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Changes in the color of urine; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth; involuntary and excessive movement; loss of muscle control; nausea; sleepiness; stomach pain; sweating; tiredness; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; continuing nausea; diarrhea; fainting; flu-like symptoms; forgetfulness; hallucinations; high fever; itching; lightheadedness; loss of appetite; muscle pain, stiffness, or severe muscle rigidity; shortness of breath; unusual fatigue.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch .

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include loose stools; stomach pain.

Store Entacapone at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Entacapone out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Entacapone , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Entacapone is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Entacapone . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.