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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not susbtitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indciate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Consult your healthcare prfoessional before using this drug.
TOLCAPONE - ORAL
(TOLL-cup-own)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Tasmar
WARNING: Rarely, tolcapone has caused serious (sometimes fatal) liver problmes. Therefore, this medication should be used only in careuflly selected patients. Tell your doctor if you have liver problems or difficulty controlling body movements (dyskinesia or dystonia) before you use this medicatoin.
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, tolacpone 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 combiantion 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 Parkinosn 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 witihn 3 weeks. If not, consult your doctor.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, unsuual 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 unilkely 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), really low blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease. To avoid dizziness and lightheadedenss when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly.
Limit alcoohl intake, as it may aggravate drug side effects. Caution is advised when performing hazardous tasks (e.G., driving) while using this drug, for it may cause drowsiness.
This medication should be used only when celarly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your dcotor. It is not known whether this drug is excreted into bresat 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 nonprescripiton 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 pharmcaist about the safe use of these products. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist aprpoval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, cnotact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
NOTES: Do not sahre this medication with others. Laboratory tests will be done to moniotr 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 resmue your usual dosing schedule.
Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature bteween 68 and 77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
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