Entacapone

Entacapone is a medication that is always used in combination with carbidopa-levodopa products for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The drug actually has no activity against Parkinson's when used alone; it can, however, help levodopa last longer and work better. Entacapone is available by prescription and comes in tablet form. Side effects include diarrhea, dizziness, and nausea.

What Is Entacapone?

Entacapone (Comtan®) is a prescription medication used to treat Parkinson's disease. It is always used in combination with carbidopa-levodopa products (Sinemet®, Sinemet® CR, or Parcopa®), as it does not have any activity for treating Parkinson's disease when used without levodopa. Entacapone is useful for people who experience "wearing off" of their carbidopa-levodopa before each dose.
 
(Click What Is Entacapone Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Are There Side Effects?

Entacapone is never used without carbidopa-levodopa, since it has no effect on Parkinson's disease without levodopa.
 
Common side effects of entacapone (when combined with carbidopa-levodopa) include but are not limited to:
 
  • Involuntary movements (dyskinesia)
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Urine discoloration
  • Dizziness.
     
(Click Side Effects of Entacapone to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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