entacapone

Entacapone is a small molecule, orally administered, reversible and selective inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that metabolizes levodopa in the periphery. By inhibiting COMT, entacapone reduces the peripheral breakdown of levodopa to 3-O-methyldopa, thereby increasing the bioavailability and half-life of levodopa when used in combination with carbidopa/levodopa therapy. This results in more consistent dopaminergic stimulation in patients with Parkinson's disease experiencing end-of-dose "wearing-off" symptoms. Entacapone does not have significant activity on its own and is only effective as adjunctive therapy to levodopa/carbidopa or levodopa/benserazide regimens[1][2][3][5][6]. It was developed by Orion Oyj.

Brand names

Comtan

Other names

恩他卡朋