Tolcapone (Systemic)

Brand Names : Tasmar

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For tolcapone, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to tolcapone. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Tolcapone has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that tolcapone causes birth defects and other problems. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether tolcapone passes into breast milk. However, because of the risk of unwanted effects in nursing babies, make sure your doctor knows if you are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients. There is no identified potential use of tolcapone in children.

Older adults - The risk of hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there) may be increased in patients older than 75 years of age.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of tolcapone. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there) - Condition may become worse

• Kidney problems, severe - Elimination of tolcapone may be decreased, which increases the risk of unwanted effects

• Liver problems - Chance of serious unwanted effects may be increased

• Low blood pressure or
• Orthostatic or postural low blood pressure (dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a sitting or lying position) - Condition may become worse