At 12:47 am 07/12/96 -0500, Brian C.Black wrote:
>I have just signed on to the first stage of an experiment with a drug
>called Tolcopone and I would be very greatful for any info on this drug.
>If it's so good, why has it never shown up her on the network? Or has it ?
>What am I getting into?
Hello Brian,
I am another of the guinea pigs. I will enter the Tolcapone drug study in
the new year.
Following is an extract from a recent report that was posted to the list.
November 1996
Up And Coming Medical Therapies for Parkinson's Disease
by Matthias C. Kurth, MD, Ph.D., Medical Director and Advisor
for Young Parkinsonians and the US NPR YOPPERS FORUM
Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase Inhibitors
One new approach to treating Parkinson's disease
involves prolonging the action of levodopa by inhibiting the enzyme
catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT) involved in the
metabolism of levodopa and dopamine. Inhibition of this
enzyme in the body decreases the concentration of a levodopa
metabolite, 3-0-methyldopa, which may have a role in inducing or
aggravating levodopa response fluctuations. More importantly,
blood levels of levodopa are maintained for a longer time and
patients experience a smoother, more beneficial effect from
each dose of levodopa.
Tolcapone (Tasmar(r), Hoffman-LaRoche)
Tolcapone is the most potent COMT inhibitor currently
in clinical development. Studies in patients with Parkinson's
disease in the United States and Europe are complete and have
been submitted to the FDA. Tolcapone prolongs the effects of
levodopa thereby decreasing motor response fluctuations in
patients and improving quality of life. Patients on levodopa that do
not experience motor fluctuations also benefited significantly
through improved quality of life and decreased symptoms. Tolcapone is
given three times daily in doses from 100 mg to 200 mg in
addition to the patient's levodopa medication schedule. Peak
effect of tolcapone is reached in about 1 - 2 hours and maintained for the
duration of the 6 hour dosing interval. Patients experience better
control of their Parkinsonian symptoms while needing lower
doses of levodopa. Side effects are few, but include
occasional mild headache, nausea, loose stools, change in
urine color, and in some patients a transient increase in
dyskinesia. Tolcapone is absorbed by the small intestine and
metabolized by the liver. Food delays the absorption of
tolcapone somewhat, but this does not appear to be clinically
significant. The ability of this compound to prolong blood
and brain levels of levodopa while reducing the levels of
potentially toxic metabolites should be an important
development in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Hope this is of some help. Good luck.
Judith
