More specifically, it is an inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferases (COMT), enzymes capable of degrading catecholamines such as dopamine, a molecule whose deficiency is believed to be involved in the characteristic symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
In order to carry out its action, entacapone must be administered orally and always in combination with levodopa. In fact, entacapone alone is not sufficient to treat the symptoms induced by Parkinson's; moreover, COMTs are also able to metabolize levodopa, reducing its effect. The intake of entacapone in association with levodopa, therefore, allows to increase the clinical response of this last active principle.
Currently (May 2019), there are medicines on the market containing entacapone both as the sole active ingredient and in combination with levodopa and carbidopa.
Entacapone-containing medicines can only be dispensed with a prescription.
