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Tolcapone is used together with other medicines (carbidopa and levodopa) to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms, and poor muscle control. Tolcapone increases levels of levodopa in the body.

Tolcapone is usually given to people who are already taking carbidopa and levodopa but have not had successful treatment of symptoms.

Tolcapone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use tolcapone if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• liver disease;
• a history of liver problems caused by tolcapone; or
• a history of muscle damage or fever and confusion caused by using any medication.

Do not use tolcapone if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tolcapone can cause liver failure. You may be required to read and sign a Patient Consent form before you get a prescription for tolcapone.

To make sure tolcapone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease; or
• low blood pressure.

People with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk of skin cancer (melanoma). Talk to your doctor about this risk and what skin symptoms to watch for.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether tolcapone passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using tolcapone.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not take tolcapone as your only Parkinson's medication. Tolcapone must be used in combination with carbidopa and levodopa.

Tolcapone is usually taken three times a day. The first dose is taken with your first daily dose of carbidopa and levodopa. The second and third doses of tolcapone are taken 6 and 12 hours later.

Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Tolcapone may be taken with or without food.

Tolcapone may cause you to fall asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness.

Your liver function will need to be checked often: Every 2 to 4 weeks for the first 6 months of treatment, and then as often as your doctor recommends.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks of treatment.

Do not stop using tolcapone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using tolcapone.

Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container, away from moisture and heat.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose can cause vomiting and severe dizziness.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, tolcapone can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark colored urine.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• severe or ongoing diarrhea;
• confusion, hallucinations (hearing or seeing something that is not there), unusual thoughts or behavior;
• worsening tremors, stiffness, or muscle spasms; or
• liver problems--nausea, loss of appetite, right-sided upper stomach pain, tiredness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Certain side effects may be more likely in older adults.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor if this occurs.

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness;
• nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite;
• sleep problems, increased dreaming; or
• muscle cramps.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Taking tolcapone with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, opioid pain medication, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Other drugs may interact with tolcapone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about tolcapone.