Tolcapone (Systemic)
Brand Names : Tasmar
Before Using This MedicineIn 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
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