COMTAN

Drug Name: COMTAN

COMTAN DESCRIPTION:
ENTACAPONE - ORAL (en-TACK-up-own)

COMMON COMTAN BRAND NAME(S):
Comtan

COMTAN SIDE EFFECTS:
Diarrhea, drowsiness, upset stomach or dizziness may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these unlikely but serious side effects: mental/mood changes, fainting, muscle coordination problems. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects: muscle pain, change in the amount of urine. COMTAN may cause a harmless discoloration (brownish-orange color) of your urine. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE COMTAN:
COMTAN: This medicine is taken by mouth, with or without food. Entacapone generally is taken at the same time as your levodopa/carbidopa medicine, or as directed. Follow all instructions carefully; you may need to decrease the dosage of your levodopa/carbidopa, depending on the amount of levodopa you currently take. Your levodopa/carbidopa dosing schedule may change as well. Do not suddenly stop using COMTAN: the dosage should be reduced gradually to minimize possible side effects. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. The manufacturer advises a maximum of 8 doses per day.

COMTAN USES:
COMTAN is used to treat Parkinson's Disease, in combination with levodopa-containing medicines. Entacapone must be used with your other Parkinson's Disease medicines in order to work.

COMTAN PRECAUTIONS:
Tell your doctor your medical history, including: liver disease, any allergies. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. COMTAN may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. Entacapone is not indicated for use in children. COMTAN should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether COMTAN passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

COMTAN DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially of: most MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine), isoproterenol, adrenalin (epinephrine), norepinephrine, dopamine, dobutamine, alpha-methyldopa, apomorphine, isoetharine, bitolterol, probenecid, cholestyramine, certain antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, ampicillin, rifamin, chloramphenicol). According to the manufacturer, if you are prescribed the MAO inhibitor selegiline you may continue to take it while using entacapone. Also, report use of any medicine that can make you drowsy, such as: sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety medicine, anti-seizure drugs, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines, certain drowsiness-causing antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

COMTAN OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

COMTAN NOTES:
Do not share COMTAN with others.

MISSED COMTAN DOSE:
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

COMTAN STORAGE:
Store at room temperature - 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) - away from light and moisture.