Catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor

The catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors (COMT) are medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease. They are administered orally.

How do the catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors work?

The COMT inhibitors reduce the breakdown of dopamine in the body. They are always administered together with levodopa to avoid it being broken down before it reaches the brainwhere it is converted into dopamine.

Do they have contraindications or precautions?

Patients who are taking COMT inhibitors may suffer from hallucinations, apathy or depression. They can also develop dyskinesia, nausea, discolouration of their urine, diarrhoea and gastric burning.

Sources:

• Merck Manuel, 4^th edition
• Interview with Jean-Philippe Brandel, neurologist at the Léopold Bellan Hospital, Paris, on www.infopatients-lundbeck.fr, 7 July 2011
• MyPDinfo.com, 7 July 2011