Comtess

What is it?

A preparation which acts on certain metabolic pathways in the central nervous system, being a COMT inhibitor. Available as film-coated, orange tablets marked COMTESS containing 200mg of entacapone.

Medical Uses

Additional therapy with levodopa and a dope decarboxylase inhibitor in the treatment of Parkinsonism. Specifically, used to control and reduce motor (movement) symptoms in patients who are difficult to stabilise on these drug combinations.

Dosage

Adults, 1 tablet taken with each dose of levodopa/ dopy decarboxylase inhibitor to a maximum of 10 tablets each day. Dose of levodopa should be gradually reduced by 10 to 30%, according to response, either by actual dose reduction or increasing the separation between doses.

Avoid Use

Children, breastfeeding, pregnancy, liver disease, phaeochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumour).

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Drugs that cause orthostatic hypotension (abnormal fall in blood pressure that occurs when a person stands upright), sympathomimetic amines, antidepressants, MAOIs, iron, benserazide, bromocriptine, methyldopa, apomorphine, rimiterol.

Known Side Effects

Dry mouth, dyskinesias (reduced ability to perform voluntary muscle movements), discoloured urine, gastrointestinal disturbances, abdominal pain.

Manufacturer

Orion.