Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy of tolcapone in reducing "wearing off" in levodopa treated, fluctuating parkinsonian patients. Secondary objectives included assessment of reduction in levodopa requirements, improvement in patients' clinical status, duration of improvements, and tolerability of tolcapone. METHODS: In this multicentre, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial, 58 patients received placebo, 60 received 100 mg tolcapone three times daily (tid), and 59 received 200 mg tolcapone tid, in addition to levodopa/ benserazide. RESULTS: After three months with 200 mg tolcapone tid, "off" time decreased by 26.2% of the baseline value, "on" time increased by 20.6% (P<O.01 v placebo), and the mean total daily levodopa dose decreased by 122 mg from the baseline dose of 676 mg (P<0.01). These responses were maintained up to nine months. With 100 mg tolcapone tid, "off" time decreased by 31.5% (P<0.05), "on" time increased by 21.3% (P<0.01), and the mean total daily levodopa dose decreased by 109 mg from the baseline dose of 668 mg (P<0.05). With 200 mg tolcapone tid, unified Parkinson's disease rating scale motor and total scores were significantly reduced, and quality of life (sickness impact profile) scores were significantly improved. Both dosages were well tolerated. Dyskinesia was the most often reported levodopa induced adverse event. Diarrhea was the most often reported non-dopaminergic adverse event and the most frequent reason for withdrawal from the study: four patients in the 100 mg tolcapone tid group and six in the 200 mg tid group withdrew because of diarrhea. CONCLUSION:
Tolcapone prolongs "on" time in fluctuating parkinsonian patients while allowing a reduction in daily levodopa dosage, thereby improving the efficacy of long term levodopa therapy.
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Authors | H Baas, A G Beiske, J Ghika, M Jackson, W H Oertel, W Poewe, G Ransmayr |
Journal | Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
(J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry)
Vol. 63
Issue 4
Pg. 421-8
(Oct 1997)
ISSN: 0022-3050 [Print] England |
PMID | 9343116
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antiparkinson Agents
- Benzophenones
- Catechol O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors
- Enzyme Inhibitors
- Nitrophenols
- Levodopa
- Tolcapone
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Topics |
- Aged
- Antiparkinson Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Benzophenones
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Biological Availability
- Catechol O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Double-Blind Method
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Enzyme Inhibitors
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Female
- Humans
- Levodopa
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Nitrophenols
- Parkinson Disease
(drug therapy)
- Severity of Illness Index
- Tolcapone
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