Key takeaways
Entacapone (Comtan) and Duopa (carbidopa/levodopa) are both used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD), but they work differently and are used in different situations. Entacapone is a COMT inhibitor that helps carbidopa/levodopa work better by preventing levodopa from breaking down before it reaches the brain. You take it with each dose of carbidopa/levodopa. Duopa, on the other hand, is a combination of carbidopa and levodopa that is delivered continuously through a tube into your intestines for 16 hours a day, making it suitable for advanced PD. Entacapone is available in both brand-name and generic forms, while Duopa is only available as a brand-name medication. Entacapone can cause side effects like involuntary movements and nausea, while Duopa can cause serious stomach problems due to the tube placement and requires a minor procedure to insert the tube. Both medications can make you very sleepy and cause changes in behavior.
