Adcapone Tablet

Adcapone Tablet is usually used in combination with carbidopa/levodopa. It may be taken with or without food, preferably at bedtime. However, take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor.

If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. This medication mustn’t be stopped suddenly without talking to the doctor as it may worsen your condition. Your doctor may advise for periodic skin examination as it can cause melanoma.

Some common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, confusion, constipation, insomnia(difficulty sleeping), nightmares, and increased sweating. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. It is common to have diarrhea with this medicine, so drink plenty of fluids and watch for weight loss. Inform your doctor if you develop any unusual changes in mood, an abnormally high sex drive, and hallucinations. It may cause your urine to change in a brownish-orange color but it is not harmful and usually resolves once treatment is completed. Please consult your doctor if these side effects worry you or do not go away.

Parkinson’s disease

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Adcapone Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

Adcapone Tablet is a selective reversible inhibitor that is given in combination with levodopa. It works by inhibiting a chemical messenger [catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT)] which in turn helps in increasing the amount of dopamine (chemical messenger) in the brain. Thus, an adequate amount of dopamine in the brain helps to coordinate body movements.

If you miss a dose of Adcapone Tablet, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.

You have been prescribed Adcapone Tablet to enhance the effectiveness of levodopa for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

It can make you very sleepy. Don’t drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.

To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down.

Inform your doctor if you develop impulsive, unusual behavior and/or an abnormally high sex drive.

Talk to your doctor in case you develop hallucinations or other changes in your behavior.

It is common to have diarrhea with this drug. Therefore, drink plenty of fluids and watch for weight loss.

Do not get worried if you notice a reddish-brown discoloration in your urine as it is harmless in nature.

Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.

Q. Can Adcapone Tablet be crushed or split? If not, then how it should be taken?

No, Adcapone Tablet should not be crushed or split. Take it as a whole with a full glass of water at the same time as you take a dose of levodopa

Q. Does Adcapone Tablet have any effect on urine color?

Yes, Adcapone Tablet may cause your urine to change to a brownish-orange color. This effect is common and is not harmful.

Q. Will Adcapone Tablet make me sleepy?

The combined use of Adcapone Tablet and levodopa has been associated with cases of excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep onset episodes. If you experience these symptoms, then you should neither drive nor operate other complex machinery. Consult your doctor if it becomes troublesome.

Q. What is meant by impulse control disorder caused by Adcapone Tablet?

In impulse control disorders, you may get urges or cravings to behave in ways that are unusual for you. In such disorders, you cannot resist the impulse, drive or temptation to carry out certain activities that could harm yourself or others. Additionally, it may include addictive gambling, excessive eating or spending, an abnormally high sex drive or a preoccupation with an increase in sexual thoughts or feelings. In such a case, your doctor may suggest dose reduction or discontinuation of dose.

Q. What if I accidentally take more than the recommended doses of Adcapone Tablet?

In case you take more than the recommended doses of Adcapone Tablet, you may experience confusion, decreased activity, sleepiness, decreased muscle tone, skin discoloration, and urticaria. If any such symptoms occur, you should seek immediate medical attention in a nearby hospital or contact your doctor.

Q. Does Adcapone Tablet cross the blood-brain barrier?

No, Adcapone Tablet does not cross the blood-brain barrier. It is useful in prolonging the duration of the benefit obtained from individual doses of levodopa.

Q. Does Adcapone Tablet affect fertility?

No, Adcapone Tablet does not affect fertility. However, it should be avoided by pregnant and lactating women because there is no sufficient data to support the safety of this patient group.

Q. Is Adcapone Tablet a dopamine agonist?

No, it is not a dopamine agonist. Adcapone Tablet is a selective and reversible inhibitor of COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) which works by increasing and maintaining sustained levels of levodopa when levodopa is given along with it.

In Parkinson’s disease

Adcapone Tablet is one of the most effective medications to relieve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease such as tremors, muscle stiffness and difficulty moving. It increases the amount of a chemical called dopamine in the brain which helps in the coordination of body movements. This medicine can therefore enhance the quality of life by improving the ability to carry out daily functions in a better manner.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Dryness in mouth

Abdominal pain

Heart attack

Ischemic heart disease

Muscle coordination impaired

Diarrhea

Dizziness

Urine discoloration

Fall

Increased sweating

Hallucination

Nightmare

Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)

Constipation

Confusion

Fatigue

Vomiting

Nausea

Alcohol:UNSAFE

Adcapone Tablet may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.

Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Adcapone Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Adcapone Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

Driving:CAUTION

Adcapone Tablet may cause dizziness or weakness due to low blood pressure. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Kidney:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Adcapone Tablet is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Adcapone Tablet may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.

Liver:UNSAFE

Adcapone Tablet is probably unsafe to use in patients with liver disease and should be avoided. Please consult your doctor.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 473-74.

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