Entacapone Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Entacapone Tablet contains entacapone, a COMT inhibitor used together with levodopa and carbidopa to treat the end-of-dose wearing-off effect in Parkinson's disease. It helps levodopa remain active in the body for longer, smoothing out symptoms such as stiffness, tremors, and muscle spasms that return between doses. It is available as a tablet and is taken alongside each levodopa-carbidopa dose as directed by a doctor.

What is Entacapone Tablet

Entacapone is a prescription tablet used together with levodopa and carbidopa to treat the end-of-dose 'wearing-off' effect in people with Parkinson's disease. It helps levodopa last longer in the body.

Entacapone Tablet uses

• Treats the end-of-dose wearing-off effect in Parkinson's disease, used together with levodopa and carbidopa
• Helps manage symptoms such as stiffness, tremors, and muscle spasms that return between doses

Benefits of Entacapone Tablet

• Extends and smooths the clinical effects of levodopa
• Reduces wearing-off periods when stiffness, tremors, and slow movement return between doses
• Helps maintain steadier dopamine levels in the brain to improve daily motor control

How Entacapone Tablet works

Entacapone blocks an enzyme called COMT that normally breaks down levodopa before it reaches the brain. By blocking this enzyme, more levodopa becomes available, which leads to smoother and steadier dopamine levels in the brain and better symptom control for longer.

Entacapone Tablet dosage

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water at the same time you take your levodopa-carbidopa dose. It can be taken with or without food; if it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take it only as directed by your doctor; do not take more or less than prescribed, and do not change how often you take it. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without checking with your doctor, since stopping too quickly can cause serious problems.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can; if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule; do not double up doses. Use in children should only be done under a doctor's guidance.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Entacapone Tablet

Common

• Involuntary movements such as twisting, twitching, or jerky repetitive movements
• Harmless urine discoloration (brownish-orange, reddish, or dark urine)
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or dry mouth
• Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up
• Daytime drowsiness or sudden onset of sleep
• Constipation
• Cough or hoarseness
• Fever or chills
• Lower back or side pain
• Difficult or painful urination
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

Serious

• Severe or persistent diarrhea that can cause dehydration or weight loss
• Hallucinations and confusion
• Compulsive or impulse-control behaviors such as gambling, overspending, or increased sexual urges
• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: high fever, severe muscle stiffness, confusion, and rapid heart rate, which can happen if the medicine is stopped too quickly
• Rhabdomyolysis: severe, unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• Severe allergic reactions: breathing problems, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, hives, racing heart
• Liver injury: upper right belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes
• Low blood pressure upon standing: dizziness, feeling faint, blurry vision
• New or worsening uncontrolled and repetitive movements of the face, mouth, or upper body

Warnings and precautions

• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly, as it can trigger severe reactions similar to withdrawal or a dangerous condition called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome; your doctor must reduce the dose gradually if it needs to be stopped.
• This medicine should not be used together with certain medicines for depression called MAO inhibitors, such as phenelzine or tranylcypromine.
• Some people have developed strong, unusual urges such as gambling, overspending, binge eating, or increased sexual urges while taking this medicine.
• This medicine can cause diarrhea that may be severe and can start months after beginning treatment. Do not take other medicines for diarrhea without checking with your doctor first.
• Your doctor should check your skin regularly for signs of a skin cancer called melanoma.
• This medicine should be used with extra caution in people with low blood pressure or those taking blood pressure medicines, due to the increased risk of very low blood pressure.
• This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking it.
• There is not enough information to know if this medicine is safe during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks with your doctor before taking it.
• This medicine should be used with caution in people with kidney disease, as it may make the condition worse.
• This medicine should be used with caution in people with liver disease, since the effects may be increased because the body removes the medicine more slowly.
• Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can increase the risk of dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and other serious side effects.
• This medicine can make you dizzy or drowsy, or cause you to suddenly fall asleep without warning. Do not drive or do anything dangerous until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light
• Keep from freezing
• Keep out of the reach of children and pets
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed
• Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use
• Store between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F)
• Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date
• Take the medication to a medication take-back program, or check the label or package insert for disposal instructions; if safe to throw away, mix it with something like cat litter or coffee grounds, seal it in a bag, and put it in the trash

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have dark-colored urine, fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or unusual tiredness or weakness, as these may be signs of a serious muscle condition called rhabdomyolysis.
• Get medical help right away if you have seizures, difficulty breathing, fast heartbeat, high fever, changes in blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, severe muscle stiffness, pale skin, or extreme tiredness, as these could be signs of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
• Stop taking this medicine and get help right away if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as breathing problems, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, trouble swallowing, or hives.
• Call your care team right away if liver injury signs occur, such as upper right belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop severe diarrhea, diarrhea that does not go away, or diarrhea along with weakness, dizziness, or fever.
• Talk to your doctor right away if you develop new or worsening strong urges, such as gambling, binge eating, sexual activity, or shopping that is unusual for you.
• If you suddenly fall asleep during daily activities like driving, talking, or eating, contact your care team right away.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, get medical help right away or contact a poison control center or emergency room.

Alternatives

• Safinamide
• Rasagiline
• Tolcapone
• Opicapone