ENTACAPONE

Entacapone is a potent, orally active, selective inhibitor of peripher al catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), which has therapeutic potentia l as an adjunct to levodopa therapy in patients with Parkinson's disea se. Entacapone decreases peripheral conversion of levodopa to 3-O-metb yldopa and improves central uptake of levodopa. Addition of entacapone to levodopa/carbidopa or levodopa/benserazide increased the duration of clinical response in patients with Parkinson's disease: the duratio n of 'on' time was increased and the duration of 'off' time was decrea sed. Levodopa requirements were reduced in patients with Parkinson's d isease who received adjunctive entacapone therapy. Entacapone was gene rally well tolerated, with few reported adverse events.