Inhibition of catechol-O-methyltransferase. Optimizing the dopaminergic therapy with entacapone in Parkinson's disease

Registration of the inhibitor of the catechol-O-methyltransfersase (COMT) t olcapone has been stopped due to the possible relationship of tolcapone tre atment to three cases of fatal hepatitis. As a result, strong uncertainty h as emerged among neurologists about the principle of COMT inhibition itself . We review data, especially on the remaining COMT inhibitor, entacapone, w ith regard to pre-clinical and clinical efficacy and safety.