What Is Entacapone Used For? (Cont.)

How Does Entacapone Work?

Entacapone is always used in combination with carbidopa and levodopa; it has no activity against Parkinson's disease when used alone. It works by increasing blood levels of levodopa and helping levodopa last longer in the body. Entacapone works by inhibiting an enzyme known as catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) that breaks down levodopa before it has a chance to reach the brain.
 

Is Entacapone Used in Children?

Entacapone is not approved for use in children. Discuss the potential risks and benefits of the drug with your child's healthcare provider.
 

Is Entacapone Used for Off-Label Reasons?

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend entacapone for something other than the conditions discussed in this article. At this time, however, there are no universally accepted off-label entacapone uses.
 

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