| Pharmacy Drug Brand Name: | Comtan® |
| Active Ingredient(s): | entacapone |
| Strength(s) / Dose(s): | 200mg |
| Delivery / Dosage Form(s): | Tablets |
| Company Manufacturer Name: | Orion Corporation |
| Availability / Prescription: | Prescription only |
| Date Approved by FDA *: | October 19, 1999 |
* Approval by the FDA does not necessarily mean that this drug is available for consumers at this time.
What is Comtan used for?
Comtan is used together with carbidopa/ levodopa to treat people with Parkinson’s disease or damage that experience the signs and symptoms of end-of-dose "wearing-off".
Comtan’s effectiveness has not been proven in people with Parkinson’s disease or damage that do not experience end-of-dose "wearing-off".
General Precautions:
- Comtan should be used with caution in patients with liver problems.
- Do not stop taking Comtan without first discussing it with your doctor.
- Do not drive a car or operate heavy machinery until you know how you will react to Comtan.
- Be especially careful when taking other sleep-inducing drugs while using Comtan
What should I tell my doctor or health care (healthcare) provider?
- Because certain other medications can interact with Comtan, review all medications that you are taking with your health care (healthcare) provider, including those that you take without a prescription.
- Check with your health care (healthcare) provider to make sure that you are not taking certain types of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.
- Tell your health care (healthcare) provider if you are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
What are some possible side effects of Comtan? (This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects assosciated with Comtan. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide expert advice on the possible side effects of this drug.)
Some of the side effects listed below may not appear for up to twelve weeks.
- Abnormal jerky movements
- Nausea
- Discolored (brownish orange) urine
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Dizziness or fainting especially upon quickly standing or going from a laying down to an upright position
- Confusion
- Sweating
Individuals treated with Comtan should tell their health care (healthcare) provider right away if they develop any of the following symptoms:
- Severe diarrhea
- Hallucinations
- Muscle pain or discomfort or prolonged rigidity
- High fever