Tolcapone: a review of its use in the management of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract

Tolcapone (Tasmar) is a selective, reversible inhibitor of peripheral and central catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). Results of well designed studies indicate that oral tolcapone is an effective adjunct to levodopa plus a peripheral dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor (DDCI) in patients with fluctuating Parkinson's disease. Tolcapone significantly improves levodopa-induced motor fluctuations and significantly reduces levodopa requirements. The drug is generally well tolerated, with the most commonly occurring adverse events being dopaminergic related. Thus, tolcapone is a useful option in patients with fluctuating Parkinson's disease who are receiving levodopa/DDCI and are not responding to, or are not candidates for, other adjunctive treatments.

• Authors: Gillian M Keating, Katherine A Lyseng-Williamson
• Journal: CNS drugs (CNS Drugs) Vol. 19 Issue 2 Pg. 165-84 ( 2005) ISSN: 1172-7047 [Print] New Zealand
• PMID: 15697329 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antiparkinson Agents
• Benzophenones
• Catechol O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors
• Nitrophenols
• Tolcapone

Topics

• Antiparkinson Agents (pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Benzophenones (pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Catechol O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Administration Routes
• Drug Evaluation
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Humans
• Nitrophenols (pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Parkinson Disease (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Tolcapone
• Treatment Outcome