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

CNS Drugs. 2005;19(2):165-84. doi: 10.2165/00023210-200519020-00006.

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.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

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

Substances

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