Adcapone Tablet
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd |
| Active Ingredient | Entacapone (200mg) |
| Storage | Store below 30°C |
| Chemical Class | Hydroxycinnamic Acids Derivatives |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | NEURO CNS |
| Action Class | COMT inhibitors |
| User Rating | 4.7 |
| User Reviews | 352 |
FAQ
Is Adcapone a dopamine agonist?
No, it is not a dopamine agonist. Adcapone is a selective and reversible inhibitor of COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) which works by increasing and maintaining sustained levels of levodopa when levodopa is given along with it.
What is meant by impulse control disorder caused by Adcapone?
In impulse control disorders, you may get urges or cravings to behave in ways that are unusual for you. In such disorders, you cannot resist the impulse, drive or temptation to carry out certain activities that could harm yourself or others. Additionally, it may include addictive gambling, excessive eating or spending, an abnormally high sex drive or a preoccupation with an increase in sexual thoughts or feelings. In such a case, your doctor may suggest dose reduction or discontinuation of dose.
Can Adcapone be crushed or split? If not, then how it should be taken?
No, Adcapone should not be crushed or split. Take it as a whole with a full glass of water at the same time as you take a dose of levodopa
Will Adcapone make me sleepy?
The combined use of Adcapone and levodopa has been associated with cases of excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep onset episodes. If you experience these symptoms, then you should neither drive nor operate other complex machinery. Consult your doctor if it becomes troublesome.
Does Adcapone cross the blood-brain barrier?
No, Adcapone does not cross the blood-brain barrier. It is useful in prolonging the duration of the benefit obtained from individual doses of levodopa.
What if I accidentally take more than the recommended doses of Adcapone?
In case you take more than the recommended doses of Adcapone, you may experience confusion, decreased activity, sleepiness, decreased muscle tone, skin discoloration, and urticaria. If any such symptoms occur, you should seek immediate medical attention in a nearby hospital or contact your doctor.
Does Adcapone have any effect on urine color?
Yes, Adcapone may cause your urine to change to a brownish-orange color. This effect is common and is not harmful.
Does Adcapone affect fertility?
No, Adcapone does not affect fertility. However, it should be avoided by pregnant and lactating women because there is no sufficient data to support the safety of this patient group.
What if you forget to take Adcapone?
If you miss a dose of Adcapone, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
Adcapone Tablet Reviews
Adcapone is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It helps to treat wearing-off symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms, and poor muscle control.
Adcapone is usually used in combination with carbidopa/levodopa. It may be taken with or without food, preferably at bedtime. However, take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor.
If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. This medication mustn't be stopped suddenly without talking to the doctor as it may worsen your condition. Your doctor may advise for periodic skin examination as it can cause melanoma.
Some common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, confusion, constipation, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), nightmares, and increased sweating. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. It is common to have diarrhea with this medicine, so drink plenty of fluids and watch for weight loss. Inform your doctor if you develop any unusual changes in mood, an abnormally high sex drive, and hallucinations. It may cause your urine to change in a brownish-orange color but it is not harmful and usually resolves once treatment is completed. Please consult your doctor if these side effects worry you or do not go away.
How Adcapone Tablet Works
Adcapone is a selective reversible inhibitor that is given in combination with levodopa. It works by inhibiting a chemical messenger [catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT)] which in turn helps in increasing the amount of dopamine (chemical messenger) in the brain. Thus, an adequate amount of dopamine in the brain helps to coordinate body movements.
How to Use Adcapone Tablet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Adcapone may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Benefits of Adcapone Tablet
- In Parkinson's disease: Adcapone is one of the most effective medications to relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease such as tremors, muscle stiffness and difficulty moving. It increases the amount of a chemical called dopamine in the brain which helps in the coordination of body movements. This medicine can therefore enhance the quality of life by improving the ability to carry out daily functions in a better manner.
Uses of Adcapone Tablet
- Parkinson's disease
Adcapone Tablet Side Effects
Safety Tips
Alcohol
UNSAFE
Adcapone may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Adcapone is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Adcapone may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
UNSAFE
Adcapone is probably unsafe to use in patients with liver disease and should be avoided. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Adcapone may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Adcapone is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving
CAUTION
Adcapone may cause dizziness or weakness due to low blood pressure. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Quick Tips
- Do not get worried if you notice a reddish-brown discoloration in your urine as it is harmless in nature.
- You have been prescribed Adcapone to enhance the effectiveness of levodopa for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor in case you develop hallucinations or other changes in your behavior.
- Inform your doctor if you develop impulsive, unusual behavior and/or an abnormally high sex drive.
- It is common to have diarrhea with this drug. Therefore, drink plenty of fluids and watch for weight loss.
- To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down.
- It can make you very sleepy. Don't drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
References
- MedlinePlus. Entacapone.
- Entacapone. North Ryde, New South Wales: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Limited; 2013.
- Entacapone [Prescribing Information]. East Hanover, N.J: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; 2020.
- Merello M, Lees AJ, Webster R, et al. Effect of entacapone, a peripherally acting catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor, on the motor response to acute treatment with levodopa in patients with Parkinson's disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1994;57(2):186-89.
- Entacapone. Espoo, Finland: Orion Corporation; 2000 [revised Jun. 2014].
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 473-74.
- Entacapone. Newbury, Berkshire: Orion Pharma (UK) Limited; 1998 [revised 15 Dec. 2016].