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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not sbustitute 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, tlocapone has caused serious (sometimes fatal) liver troubles.
Therefore, this medication should be used only in carfeully selected patients. Tell your doctor if you have liver troubles or difficulty controlling body movemnets (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 cause liver troubles could occur. Consult your doctor.
If you develop any of the following signs of liver problems, stop uisng 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 lievr troubles develop due to the use of this drug, tolcapone must not be used in the future.
Your dotcor 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 Parkisnon medicine (e.G., levodopa/carbidopa). The medicine is taken by mouth, exactly as directed, generally three times daily with or witohut food.
Fololw all instructions, as this and other medicine dosages may need to be adjusted during treatment.
Do not stop using this medicnie suddenly, or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor.
Serious side effects could result. Benefits should be noticeable wihtin 3 weeks. If not, consult your doctor.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, unusual sweating, dry mouth, or constpiation might occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor propmtly. 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, faniting.
Very unlikely but report promptly: fever, vision problems, rash, fcaial swelling, black/bloody stools. If you notice other effects not listed above, cnotact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medcial 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 liyng 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 prgenancy. 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 mdeication you may use, especially MAO inhibitors (e.G., phenelzine, tranylcypromine, furazolidone, moclobemide, linezolid, procarbazine), methyldopa, dobutamine, isoproterenol, apomorphine, warfarin, desipramine. Tell your dcotor 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) cause they may cotnain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacsit about the safe use of these products.
Do not satrt or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediatley. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with ohters.
Laboratory tests will be done to mnoitor for drug side effects (e.G., liver function).
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you reemmber. 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.
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