Entacapone in the management of Parkinson's disease.
Entacapone is one of a new class of drugs, the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, which expand the therapeutic options for Parkinson's disease by extending the action of levodopa. Entacapone is used in conjunction with levodopa and provides benefit to patients who suffer from motor fluctuations. Side effects include worsening of the dyskinesias associated with peak doses of levodopa, hypotension, constipation and urine discoloration. Unlike tolcapone, an earlier COMT inhibitor, entacapone does not require liver function monitoring.
Henchcliffe
Claire
C
The Neurological Institute, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Waters
Cheryl
C
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D065098:Catechol O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood; D002396:Catechols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009570:Nitriles; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D065098:Catechol O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors; D002395:Catecholamines; D002396:Catechols; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D007980:Levodopa; C071192:entacapone