Entacapone tablets

What is this medication?

ENTACAPONE (en TA ka pone) is used in combination with levodopa; carbidopa therapy to treat Parkinson's disease.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Comtan

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• liver disease
• mental illness
• narcolepsy
• sleep apnea
• an unusual or allergic reaction to entacapone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water at the same time you take your levodopa-carbidopa. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take this medicine with or without food. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• MAOIs like Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol
• ampicillin
• apomorphine
• bitolterol
• certain medicines for sleep or anxiety
• chloramphenicol
• dobutamine
• dopamine
• epinephrine
• erythromycin
• iron supplements
• isoproterenol
• linezolid
• methyldopa
• narcotic medicines for pain
• norepinephrine
• probenecid
• rifampin
• warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not stop taking except on your health care professional's advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your health care professional will tell you how much medicine to take.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

When taking this medicine, you may fall asleep without notice. You may be doing activities like driving a car, talking, or eating. You may not feel drowsy before it happens. Contact your health care provider right away if this happens to you.

There have been reports of increased sexual urges or other strong urges such as gambling while taking this medicine. If you experience any of these while taking this medicine, you should report this to your health care provider as soon as possible.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your health care professional if the problem does not go away or is severe.

This medicine may cause urine to look dark yellow to orange or brown in color. This is normal and is not cause for concern.

You should check your skin often for changes to moles and new growths while taking this medicine. Call your doctor if you notice any of these changes.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• changes in emotions or moods
• confusion
• falling asleep during normal activities like driving
• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• fever
• hallucinations
• new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, uncontrolled spending, binge or compulsive eating, or other urges
• severe diarrhea
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• uncontrollable movements of the arms, face, head, mouth, neck, or upper body

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• nausea
• upset stomach

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.