COMTAN - Entacapone

Comtan Used For

Comtan Entacapone is prescribed to supplement the effects of levodopa/carbidopa therapy for treatment of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (shaking palsy) who experience the signs and symptoms of end-of-dose "wearing-off". Entacapone enhances the effect of levodopa/carbidopa. It helps improve muscle control and helps the body make more normal movements.

Directions for Comtan

The recommended dose of Comtan is one 200 mg tablet administered concomitantly with each levodopa/carbidopa dose, with a maximum of 8 doses a day (200 mg × 8 = 1600 mg per day). Comtan should always be administered in association with levodopa/carbidopa since entacapone does not have any antiparkinsonian effect of its own.

How Comtan works

Comtan can cause hallucinations in certain patients. It may also lead to development of postural (orthostatic) hypotension with or without symptoms of dizziness, nausea, syncope, and sweating. Hypotension may occur more frequently during initial therapy. During start of treatment, patients should take care not to rise rapidly after sitting or lying down, especially so after prolonged periods. During initiation of treatment, Comtan may also cause nausea as well as an increase in dyskinesia.

Side effects of Comtan

Like all other medications, Comtan also has its side effects which include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, absence of or decrease in body movements, hyperactivity, increase in body movements, seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not there, twitching, twisting, uncontrolled repetitive movements of tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs, fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, painful or difficult urination, confusion, muscle cramps, pain, shortness of breath, stiffness, weakness & unusual tiredness. It is advisable to consult a doctor immediately if any of the above listed side effects get aggravated or persist over an extended period.

Other Comtan Information

Tablets of Comtan may be split and taken at half the dose, but only after medical advice. Comtan should be taken only as prescribed by the doctor. It is advisable to first assess response to Comtan before driving, using machinery or doing any task that might be hazardous, since Comtan might affect motor and / or mental functions in certain individuals.