Comtan (entacapone) is indicated to prolong the benefits of levodopa-carbidopa medications in patients with Parkinson's disease who have end-of-dose "wearing off." It belongs to the new therapeutic class of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, which block the COMT enzyme and reduce breakdown of levodopa before it reaches the brain. The drug, which had a favorable side-effect profile in clinical trials, requires no special safety monitoring, according to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., 59 Route 10, East Hanover, NJ 07936-1080, 888-644-8585.
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