What is Comtan
EntacaponeThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryEntacapone is a medication used to treat Parkinson’s Disease. It works by blocking the breakdown of levodopa, a drug used in combination with entacapone to treat Parkinson’s. By blocking the breakdown of levodopa, entacapone helps increase and sustain the effectiveness of levodopa in treating the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
Comtanis the brand name
Comtan Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Comtan
Entacapone
1999
81
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Entacapone, commonly known as Comtan, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses which include Wearing Off Effect and Parkinson's Disease .Wearing Off Effect
Used to treat Wearing Off Effect in combination with Carbidopa
Parkinson's Disease
Used to treat Parkinson's Disease (PD) in combination with Carbidopa
Effectiveness
How Comtan Affects PatientsEntacapone is a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease when used in combination with other medicines. It works by blocking an enzyme (COMT) found in the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, muscles, and other parts of the body. COMT breaks down dopamine and other chemicals, so blocking it allows the dopamine to remain active longer. When a decarboxylase inhibitor is present, COMT becomes the main enzyme responsible for breaking down the medicine levodopa.
How Comtan works in the bodyEntacapone works with levodopa and other drugs to help people with Parkinson's disease. It blocks an enzyme called COMT, which breaks down levodopa in the bloodstream. This helps keep the levodopa in the body longer, meaning it can provide more constant relief from symptoms.
When to interrupt dosage
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Parkinson's Disease
200.0 mg,
Tablet, , Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated
Wearing Off Effect
200.0 mg,
Tablet, , Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated
Warnings
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Comtan.Common Comtan Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Amoxapine
Major
The metabolism of Amoxapine can be decreased when combined with Entacapone.
Astemizole
Major
The metabolism of Astemizole can be decreased when combined with Entacapone.
Azelastine
Major
Entacapone may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.
Clomipramine
Major
The metabolism of Clomipramine can be decreased when combined with Entacapone.
Dacomitinib
Major
The metabolism of Dacomitinib can be decreased when combined with Entacapone.
Comtan Toxicity & Overdose RiskSide effects of taking this drug include faintness when standing up, muscle breakdown, abnormal movement, hallucinations, dizziness, fatigue, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and nausea.
Comtan Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Comtan?
45 active clinical trials are analyzing the potential of Comtan to reduce the Wearing Off Effect.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Wearing Off Effect
0 Actively Recruiting
Parkinson's Disease
48 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2
Comtan Reviews: What are patients saying about Comtan?
5Patient Review
4/27/2008 I started having hallucinations that were really scary and real to me. I would see faces in my plants, bikes driving around my property, and trucks backing through my bedroom window.
5Patient Review
7/31/2008 Though it causes a feeling of "fogginess," this prescription helps alleviate symptoms.
4.3Patient Review
3/13/2012 Sinemet just wasn't cutting it for me. Comtan, on the other hand, worked like a charm! I could walk and didn't have any constipation issues. The only downside is that I've had diarrhea ever since starting Comtan.
4.3Patient Review
9/1/2012 I began taking Comtan as directed, and it did wonders for my tremor and overall mood. However, after about three months of use, I started experiencing persistent diarrhea. This has been a real hindrance to enjoying the benefits of the drug.
4.3Patient Review
12/5/2013 This medication has been a godsend for me. It's helped control my Parkinson's quite well, and I'm currently in the process of increasing my dosage.
4Patient Review
1/12/2010 Within an hour of taking the medication, I experienced moderate to severe dizziness and nausea, as well as problems with balance and coordination. These effects were not improved by eating or drinking.
4Patient Review
2/3/2012 I'm an 81-year-old male who's had Parkinson's for 8 years. I've always tried to stay active, and this medication has been helpful in that respect; however, it does come with some side effects that I've noticed.
3.3Patient Review
7/26/2008 Other than the change in urine color, this drug has been great! I'm now symptom free for 12 hours out of every 24.
2.7Patient Review
1/28/2011 I've experienced a very small reduction in tremors/shaking, but after about a month of taking entacapone, I developed persistent diarrhea. This has been going on for five weeks now and my stool samples have come back negative. I'm scheduled to see a gastroenterologist soon, but I wonder if this is a side effect of the drug?
2.7Patient Review
4/20/2009 It is quite expensive
2.7Patient Review
5/3/2010 I didn't notice any improvement while taking comtan, and I actually experienced severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
2.7Patient Review
11/22/20072.3Patient Review
1/14/2015 I started to feel very ill only a few hours after taking this medication. I was brought to the emergency room soon thereafter as my symptoms - including dizziness and vomiting - had become severe. Even after 10 days, the symptoms came back with a vengeance. It's possible that Comtan caused me to develop vertigo, and if so, I would never recommend this drug to anyone.
2.3Patient Review
3/4/2010 There was a significant difference in my 84 year old father's condition when he was taking Comtan versus when he wasn't. His rigidity, confusion, and drowsiness greatly improved with this medication.
2Patient Review
5/14/2009 I found this treatment to be quite drowsy.
2Patient Review
1/15/20081Patient Review
3/16/2008 This drug does help with the tremors/shakings.
1Patient Review
6/17/2018 I haven't started this medication yet, but my doctor is considering it.
Patient Q&A Section about comtan
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What is the mechanism of action of entacapone?
"It is believed that entacapone works by inhibiting COMT and changing the way levodopa is absorbed in the blood."
Answered by AI
What symptoms does entacapone treat?
"Entacapone inhibits the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme. It's used with levodopa and carbidopa (Sinemet) to treat the end-of-dose "wearing-off" symptoms of Parkinson's disease."
Answered by AI
What is the drug Comtan used for?
"This medication is used with levodopa/carbidopa to treat Parkinson's disease. Entacapone is a class of drugs called COMT inhibitors."
Answered by AI
What is the generic name for Comtan?
"Entacapone is used together with levodopa and carbidopa to treat Parkinson's disease.
This medication may be used alone or with other drugs.
Entacapone is a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease. It is often used in conjunction with other drugs like levodopa and carbidopa. In some cases it may be used alone, but this is less common."
Answered by AI