Skip to main content

Compare
Entacapone vs. Duopa

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

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.

Entacapone

(Comtan)

Get free coupons

Duopa

(carbidopa / levodopa)

Get free coupons

Summary for Entacapone

Prescription only

Entacapone (Comtan) is used for Parkinson's disease (PD) and helps relieve symptoms like shakiness and slowed movement. It's used along with the combination medication carbidopa/levodopa. Entacapone (Comtan) is a good option for people whose levodopa wears off before their next dose ("wearing-off" periods). But, this medication has to be taken every time you take carbidopa/levodopa for it to work properly. Some side effects include involuntary movements (dyskinesia) and nausea. Entacapone (Comtan) is available as a brand-name and generic medication.

Indications for Entacapone

  • Relief of "wearing-off" symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease who are taking carbidopa/levodopa medications (e.g., Sinemet, Rytary)

Pros and Cons for Entacapone

Pros

  • Helps carbidopa/levodopa relieve your PD symptoms better
  • Can be useful for people with advanced PD or people who experience "wearing-off" periods with their carbidopa/levodopa
  • Can take with or without food

Cons

  • Must take with every dose of carbidopa/levodopa to see an effect on PD symptoms; it has no effect when it's taken alone
  • Can cause involuntary movements or other movement problems
  • Can cause nausea, especially when you first start taking the medication

Common Side Effects for Entacapone

  • Involuntary movements (dyskinesia, 25%)
  • Nausea (14%)
  • Muscle spasms (hyperkinesia, 10%)
  • Changes in the color of your urine (10%)
  • Diarrhea (10%)
  • Slowed muscle movements (hypokinesia, 9%)
  • Stomach pain (8%)
  • Dizziness (8%)

Warnings for Entacapone

  • Sleepiness or falling asleep while doing daily activities
  • Low blood pressure and fainting
  • Hallucinations and changes in behavior and thoughts
  • Difficulty controlling impulsive behavior
  • Diarrhea and inflamed colon (colitis)
  • Muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis)
  • High fevers and confusion
  • Interactions with other medications

Summary for Duopa

Prescription only

Duopa is a combination medication that contains carbidopa and levodopa. It treats adults with symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). It helps raise dopamine levels in the brain to improve movement problems from PD. Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa) comes as a cassette that gets attached to an infusion pump. The infusion pump then sends the medication into the gut through a feeding tube called a PEG-J tube. The medication is given over 16 hours out of the day as a morning dose, a continuous dose, and any extra doses. Side effects include nausea, constipation, and involuntary muscle movements.

Indications for Duopa

Pros and Cons for Duopa

Pros

  • Given into your body continuously for 16 hours, so you don't need to remember to take pills
  • Comes with extra doses in case you feel like the medication is wearing off

Cons

  • Must have a minor procedure done to place the PEG-J tube in your intestines
  • Risk of serious stomach problems since the infusion pump sends the medication directly into your gut
  • Can cause sleepiness and changes in behavior

Common Side Effects for Duopa

  • Issues related to tube placement (57%)
  • Nausea (30%)
  • Constipation (22%)
  • Redness around the area where the tube is placed (19%)
  • Involuntary movements (dyskinesia, 14%)
  • Depression (11%)
  • Discharge after the procedure where the tube is placed (11%)
  • Swelling in the legs or feet (8%)
  • High blood pressure (8%)
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (8%)
  • Mouth or throat pain (8%)
  • Collapsed lung (8%)

Warnings for Duopa

  • Stomach problems
  • Sleepiness or falling asleep during activities
  • A drop in blood pressure when standing
  • Hallucinations, changes in behavior and thoughts, and confusion
  • Difficulty controlling impulsive behavior
  • Depression and suicidal thoughts
  • High fevers and confusion with treatment changes
  • Low vitamin B6 levels and seizures
  • Nerve problems
  • Heart problems
  • Rise in eye pressure in people with glaucoma

Prices with our coupons for Entacapone vs. Duopa

Price Card Drug Icon
Entacapone360 tablets / 200mg
$98.32$1,339.93
Get free coupons
More Information
Price Card Drug Icon
Duopa6 cartridges / 100ml of 4.63mg/20mg/ml
--
Get free coupons
More Information

Compare other Parkinson's Disease drugs

Entacapone vs. ApokynEntacapone vs. AzilectEntacapone vs. BromocriptineEntacapone vs. CarbidopaEntacapone vs. Carbidopa-levodopa
Entacapone vs. Carbidopa-levodopa-entacaponeEntacapone vs. Carbidopa-levodopa-extended-releaseEntacapone vs. DuopaEntacapone vs. EldeprylEntacapone vs. MirapexEntacapone vs. RequipEntacapone vs. RytaryEntacapone vs. TasmarTasmar vs. Carbidopa-levodopa-entacaponeEldepryl vs. AzilectEldepryl vs. RytaryGocovri vs. RytaryInbrija vs. ApokynMirapex vs. AzilectMirapex vs. RytaryRytary vs. StalevoTasmar vs. AzilectTasmar vs. BromocriptineTasmar vs. CarbidopaTasmar vs. Carbidopa-levodopaTasmar vs. Carbidopa-levodopa-extended-releaseTasmar vs. DuopaTasmar vs. EldeprylTasmar vs. RequipTasmar vs. Rytary

Browse medications by letter

Show All

Browse prescription and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.