Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Comtan

Descriptions


Entacapone is used in combination with levodopa/carbidopa to treat end-of-dose "wearing off" effect in patients with Parkinson's disease, sometimes called shaking palsy. Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

Dopamine is a naturally occurring substance in the brain that helps provide control of movement and activities such as walking and talking. In patients with Parkinson's disease, there is not enough dopamine in some parts of the brain. Entacapone helps levodopa last longer by blocking a substance called COMT enzyme. This enzyme breaks down levodopa before it reaches the brain. When less levodopa is broken down, more is available to the brain. Increased availability of levodopa may lead to smoother and steadier levels of dopamine in the brain, which may provide better symptom control for longer periods each day. This may lead to improvement in daily activities.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Tablet

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Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

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