Biology Disease
Drugs and Medicines

Drug Name Tolcapone oral

Tolcapone oral Drug Category TOLCAPONE - ORAL

Tolcapone oral Drug Information

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug. TOLCAPONE - ORAL (TOLL-cup-own) COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Tasmar WARNING: Rarely, tolcapone has caused serious (sometimes fatal) liver problems. Therefore, this medication should be used only in carefully selected patients. Tell your doctor if you have liver problems or difficulty controlling body movements (dyskinesia or dystonia) before you use this medication. If benefit is not seen within 3 weeks of starting this medication, this medication must be stopped because liver problems could occur. Consult your doctor. If you develop any of the following signs of liver problems, stop using this drug and notify your doctor immediately: yellowing of the eyes or skin, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, nausea, or abdominal/stomach pain. If liver problems develop due to the use of this drug, tolcapone must not be used in the future. Your doctor will test your liver function before, during and after treatment with this medication. USES: Tolcapone is used in combination with other medicines to treat Parkinson's disease in persons who have not responded well to other therapy. HOW TO USE: This drug is recommended for use with other Parkinson medicine (e.g., levodopa/carbidopa). The medicine is taken by mouth, exactly as directed, generally three times daily with or without food. Follow all instructions, as this and other medicine dosages may need to be adjusted during treatment. Do not stop using this medicine suddenly, or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor. Serious side effects could result. Benefits should be noticeable within 3 weeks. If not, consult your doctor. SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, unusual sweating, dry mouth, or constipation might occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Report promptly: diarrhea, muscle movement/coordination or stiffness problems, mental/mood changes, headache. Unlikely but report promptly: pink-colored urine, yellowing skin or eyes, stomach pain, dark urine, trouble breathing, chest pain, fast heartbeat, fainting. Very unlikely but report promptly: fever, vision problems, rash, facial swelling, black/bloody stools. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, including: any allergies (especially drug allergies), very low blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease. To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly. Limit alcohol intake, as it may aggravate drug side effects. Caution is advised when performing hazardous tasks (e.g., driving) while using this drug, since it may cause drowsiness. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug is excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Caution is advised when this drug is used in the elderly, as hallucinations may occur more commonly than in other groups. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine, furazolidone, moclobemide, linezolid, procarbazine), methyldopa, dobutamine, isoproterenol, apomorphine, warfarin, desipramine. Tell your doctor if you take drugs that may cause drowsiness such as: sleep medicines, sedatives, tranquilizers, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines or tricyclics), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), muscle relaxants. antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of these products. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory tests will be done to monitor for drug side effects (e.g., liver function). MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up. STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.