Ongentys Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Ongentys Capsule (opicapone) is a prescription COMT inhibitor used together with carbidopa and levodopa to treat Parkinson's disease "off" episodes in adults. It is never used on its own. By helping levodopa last longer in the body, it supports steadier symptom control and may reduce daily "off" time. It is taken once daily, typically at bedtime, on an empty stomach.

What is Ongentys Capsule

Ongentys is a prescription capsule medicine used along with carbidopa and levodopa to treat Parkinson's disease "off" episodes in adults. It is never used on its own. Its generic name is opicapone, and it belongs to the COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) inhibitor drug class, also called a dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agent.

Ongentys Capsule uses

• Treats Parkinson's disease "off" episodes in adults who are already taking carbidopa and levodopa
• Helps control symptoms like stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms, and poor muscle control that return when levodopa wears off between doses
• Treats Parkinson's disease as an adjunct to levodopa/carbidopa
• Helps manage OFF episodes associated with Parkinson's disease
• Reduces periods of decreased mobility between levodopa doses

Benefits of Ongentys Capsule

• Helps levodopa last longer in the body so Parkinson's symptoms are controlled more steadily throughout the day
• Can reduce the amount of daily "off" time
• Prolongs the therapeutic effects of levodopa
• May reduce daily OFF time
• Can increase periods of improved mobility

How Ongentys Capsule works

Ongentys blocks an enzyme called COMT that normally breaks down levodopa in the body. By slowing this breakdown, more levodopa stays active and reaches the brain, giving steadier symptom control and fewer "off" periods.

Ongentys Capsule dosage

Take Ongentys once daily, preferably at bedtime. Take it on an empty stomach, avoiding food for at least one hour before and one hour after taking it. Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water; do not take it alone, as it is always used together with carbidopa and levodopa medicine. Take it at least one hour before or after your levodopa medicine.

Do not stop or change your dose without talking to your doctor first, since suddenly stopping can cause serious withdrawal symptoms. If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next dose at the usual bedtime the following day; do not take two doses at once.

Available forms and strengths

• 25 mg capsules
• 50 mg capsules

Side effects of Ongentys Capsule

Common

• Involuntary, sudden, or uncontrolled movements (dyskinesia)
• Constipation
• Low blood pressure or dizziness/fainting, especially when standing up
• Weight loss
• Increased blood creatine kinase levels (checked via blood tests)
• Dry mouth
• Insomnia or trouble sleeping
• Dizziness
• High or low blood pressure
• Loss of appetite
• Strange dreams or nightmares
• Feeling low in energy or tired
• Falls
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling unsteady or shaky
• Increased triglycerides
• Depression or anxiety
• Headache
• Dry eye
• Blocked ear
• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Abnormal urine color
• Needing to wake and pass urine at night
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or indigestion
• Muscle spasm, twitching, stiffness, or pain
• Pain in arms or legs
• Urinary tract infection

Serious

• Sudden sleepiness or falling asleep during daytime activities like driving, eating, or talking, sometimes without warning
• Hallucinations, delusions, or psychosis-like behavior, including aggressive behavior
• Uncontrollable urges such as gambling, binge eating, compulsive shopping, or increased sexual urges
• Severe allergic reaction, including swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, hives, or racing heart
• Severe low blood pressure on standing (orthostatic hypotension), which can cause fainting, blurred vision, confusion, or weakness
• Worsening or new uncontrolled body movements (dyskinesia)
• Withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly, including high fever, confusion, severe muscle stiffness, rapid heartbeat, and sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Ischemic heart disease has been seen with other medicines that work the same way as opicapone

Warnings and precautions

• Ongentys may make you fall asleep suddenly during normal daily activities like driving, working, talking, or eating, without any warning signs.
• Ongentys can cause low blood pressure, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, especially when standing up.
• This medicine may cause or worsen uncontrolled, sudden body movements because it boosts the effects of levodopa.
• Ongentys can cause hallucinations, delusions, or aggressive behavior, and your doctor may need to stop the medicine if this happens.
• Some people develop strong, hard-to-control urges like gambling, overeating, compulsive shopping, or increased sexual urges while taking this medicine.
• Do not stop taking Ongentys suddenly without talking to your doctor, since this can cause a dangerous reaction similar to neuroleptic malignant syndrome, with high fever, muscle stiffness, confusion, rapid heartbeat, and sweating.
• Do not take this medicine if you use certain older antidepressants called non-selective MAO inhibitors, or if you have certain adrenal gland or nervous system tumors.
• Ongentys can cause serious allergic reactions, including swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, and trouble breathing.
• Animal studies suggest Ongentys may harm an unborn baby, and it is not recommended during pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking it.
• It isn't known if Ongentys passes into breast milk, and some sources say you should stop breastfeeding while taking it. Talk with your doctor about the safest way to feed your baby.
• People with severe kidney problems should avoid this medicine or be watched closely for side effects, and it may need to be stopped if problems occur.
• Ongentys should not be used if your liver is not working well, and should not be taken at all with severe liver impairment; people with moderate liver problems need a lower dose.
• It isn't known exactly how alcohol affects Ongentys, but drinking alcohol may increase drowsiness or sleepiness caused by the medicine.
• This medicine can cause sudden sleepiness or dizziness, so avoid driving or using machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store capsules at a temperature below 86°F (30°C)
• Store in the original package to protect from moisture
• Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink; do not leave it on a window sill or in the car
• Keep this medicine and all medicines out of the reach of children; a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above the ground is a good place to store medicines
• If the medicine has expired or is damaged, ask your pharmacist what to do with leftover medicine

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or hives.
• Tell your doctor right away if you suddenly fall asleep during daily activities like driving or eating.
• Contact your doctor if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint, especially when standing up.
• Call your doctor right away if you develop new or worsening uncontrolled movements.
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you or others notice hallucinations, delusional thinking, disorganized thoughts, or aggressive behavior.
• Tell your doctor right away if you or a family member notice new or worsening urges like gambling, overeating, or compulsive shopping.
• Call your doctor right away if you have high fever, severe muscle stiffness, confusion, changes in breathing or heart rate, or increased sweating after stopping the medicine.
• Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
• If you think you or someone else has taken too much of this medicine, get medical help right away, even if there are no symptoms.

Alternatives

• Rasagiline
• Safinamide
• Tasmar
• Entacapone