Entacapone

Entacapone is now the second catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor on the German market. In contrast to tolcapone its half-life-time is shorter which is why it should be applied together with each levodopa intake. Entacapone does not cause diarrhoea or an increase in transaminase levels. It should be given to patients with motor fluctuations or wearing off. Using COMT-inh ibitors a more tonic stimulation of the dopamine receptors is expected. To avoid too high levodopa concentrations due to COMT inhibition the intake of levodopa should be reduced by 20%.