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Comtess®
Comtess inhibits catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that breaks down levodopa, thereby prolonging levodopa's therapeutic effect in the brain.
Comtess inhibits catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that breaks down levodopa, thereby prolonging levodopa's therapeutic effect in the brain. Used for Parkinson's disease (adjunctive therapy with levodopa/carbidopa to reduce motor fluctuations and 'off' periods).
At a glance
| Generic name | Comtess® |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Orion Corporation, Orion Pharma |
| Drug class | COMT inhibitor |
| Target | Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Neurology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Comtess (entacapone) is a peripheral COMT inhibitor that prevents the metabolism of levodopa in the periphery, allowing more levodopa to reach the brain and be converted to dopamine. By extending levodopa's half-life and duration of action, it reduces motor fluctuations and 'off' periods in Parkinson's disease patients. This is particularly useful in advanced Parkinson's disease where patients experience wearing-off effects between doses.
Approved indications
- Parkinson's disease (adjunctive therapy with levodopa/carbidopa to reduce motor fluctuations and 'off' periods)
Common side effects
- Dyskinesia
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Dizziness
- Urine discoloration (harmless)
Key clinical trials
- Intestinal Levodopa + Entacapone Therapy (Lecigon®) to Counteract Dopaminergic Desensitization and Neuropsychiatric Complications in Parkinson's Disease (PHASE3)
- Long Term Effectiveness of Levodopa-Entacapone-Carbidopa Intestinal Gel in Participants With Advanced Parkinson's Disease
- Long-Term Observational Study on Effectiveness and Safety of Lecigon in Patients With Advanced Parkinson's Disease
- DESENSITIZE-PD: Intestinal Levodopa + Entacapone Therapy (Lecigon®) to Support Dopaminergic Desensitization in PD
- Efficacy and Safety Proof of Concept Study in Patients With Parkinson's Disease and End-of-dose Wearing-off (COMPOC) (PHASE2)
- Efficacy and Tolerability of Nebicapone in Parkinson's Disease Patients With "Wearingoff" Phenomenon (PHASE2)
- Effect of BIA 6-512 at Steady-state on the Levodopa Pharmacokinetics (PHASE1)
- Pharmacokinetics of Rising Single-doses of BIA 6-512 and Their Effect on the Levodopa Pharmacokinetics (PHASE1)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Comtess® CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Comtess® updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Orion Corporation, Orion Pharma portfolio CI