Tasmar

Tasmar For Parkinson's

What Is Tasmar?

Tasmar^®(tolcapone) is a prescription medication used to treat Parkinson's disease. It is always used in combination with carbidopa-levodopa products (Sinemet^®, Sinemet CR, or Parcopa^®), as it is not effective at treating Parkinson's disease without the use of levodopa. Tasmar is useful for people who experience otherwise uncontrollable fluctuations in their symptoms, such as "wearing off" of their carbidopa-levodopa before each dose.

Due to the risk of potentially fatal liver failure that is sometimes caused by Tasmar, people should only use the drug if other alternatives are not acceptable or do not work.

(Click Tasmar Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes Tasmar?

Tasmar is made by Legacy Pharmaceuticals (for the 100 mg tablets) or Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc. (for the 200 mg tablets) and marketed by Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America.

How Does Tasmar Work?

Tasmar is always used in combination with carbidopa and levodopa; it is not effective at treating Parkinson's disease when used alone. The drug works by increasing blood levels of levodopa and helping it last longer in the body. Tasmar works by inhibiting an enzyme known as catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) that breaks down levodopa before it has a chance to reach the brain.

Effects of Tasmar

In clinical studies, Tasmar (with carbidopa-levodopa) was shown to be more effective than just carbidopa-levodopa for Parkinson's treatment. In these studies, people who were experiencing wearing-off fluctuations of their carbidopa-levodopa therapy were given either Tasmar or a placebo (a "sugar pill" that does not contain any active ingredients) to take with each dose of their carbidopa-levodopa. These studies showed that Tasmar helped the carbidopa-levodopa to work longer, with shorter "off" periods (when the medication did not work well) and longer "on" periods (when the medication did work well).

Although studies have also shown that adding Tasmar is useful for people who are not experiencing problems with wearing-off or other symptom fluctuations, the drug is not recommended for such people, as the risks of using it (especially liver failure) outweigh the potential benefits.

When and How to Take Tasmar

General considerations for when and how to take Tasmar include the following:

The medication comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth three times daily.
You can take Tasmar with or without food.
Make sure to take Tasmar at the same times each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Tasmar will not work if you stop taking it. Do not suddenly stop taking the drug without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Dosing Information for Tasmar

The dose of Tasmar your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:

How you respond to Tasmar (especially if you develop dangerous side effects)
Other medications you are taking
Other medical conditions you may have.

As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

(Click Tasmar Dosage for more information.)

Side Effects of Tasmar

Tasmar is never used without carbidopa-levodopa, as it is not effective at treating Parkinson's disease without levodopa.

Common side effects of Tasmar (when combined with carbidopa-levodopa) include but are not limited to:

Involuntary movements (dyskinesia)
Nausea
Sleeping problems (such as insomnia)
Uncontrollable, sustained muscle contractions (dystonia).

(Click Tasmar Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)

Drug Interactions With Tasmar

Tasmar can potentially interact with a number of other medicines (see Tasmar Drug Interactions).

Tasmar: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Tasmar if you have:

Liver disease, such as liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
Lung problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:

Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant (see Tasmar and Pregnancy)
Breastfeeding (see Tasmar and Breastfeeding).

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

(Click Tasmar Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)

What If I Take an Overdose of Tasmar?

It is not known exactly what to expect from an overdose with Tasmar, although some studies suggest that taking too much may cause the following symptoms:

Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Difficulty breathing.

If you happen to take too much Tasmar, seek immediate medical attention.

(Click Tasmar Overdose for more information.)

How Should Tasmar Be Stored?

Tasmar tablets should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep Tasmar and all other medications out of the reach of children.

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Tasmar?

If you forget to take a dose of Tasmar, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.

Strengths of Tasmar

Tasmar tablets are available in the following strengths:

Tasmar 100 mg
Tasmar 200 mg.

Generic Tasmar

At this time, Tasmar is not available in generic form (see Generic Tasmar).