Tolcapone: a review of its use in the management of Parkinson's disease.
Tolcapone (Tasmar) is a selective, reversible inhibitor of peripheral and central catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). Results of well designed studies indicate that oral tolcapone is an effective adjunct to levodopa plus a peripheral dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor (DDCI) in patients with fluctuating Parkinson's disease. Tolcapone significantly improves levodopa-induced motor fluctuations and significantly reduces levodopa requirements. The drug is generally well tolerated, with the most commonly occurring adverse events being dopaminergic related. Thus, tolcapone is a useful option in patients with fluctuating Parkinson's disease who are receiving levodopa/DDCI and are not responding to, or are not candidates for, other adjunctive treatments.
Keating
Gillian M
GM
Adis International Limited, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
Lyseng-Williamson
Katherine A
KA
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001577:Benzophenones / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D065098:Catechol O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D009596:Nitrophenols / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D000077867:Tolcapone; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D001577:Benzophenones; D065098:Catechol O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors; D009596:Nitrophenols; D000077867:Tolcapone