Ongentys (Opicapone)

Ongentys (Opicapone) is a prescription medication used in combination with Levodopa or Carbidopa to treat Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a brain condition that causes problems with movement, mental health, sleep, and pain. The symptoms of this disease include tremors, difficulty speaking, and painful muscle contractions. Levodopa and Carbidopa are used to treat Parkinson’s disease. However, the effects of the drug may wear off during scheduled doses and cause the symptoms to return or get worse. The active ingredient in Ongentys is Opicapone. Opicapone belongs to a class of drugs called Antiparkinson Agent (a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors). It works by blocking COMT, a certain natural substance that breaks down Levodopa in the body. This effect helps Levodopa work better and for a longer time.

Manufacturer Information

Get medical help immediately if you have any of these signs or an allergic reaction while using Ongentys. The most common side effects of Ongentys may include the following:
• Constipation;
• Drowsiness;
• Uncontrolled muscle movement;
• Weight loss

Contact your doctor right away if you have any of the severe side effects, including:
• Aggression;
• Hallucinations;
• Light-headedness;
• Worsening tremors or muscle spasms

These are not all of the side effects of Ongentys. Always contact your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms.

You should not use Ongentys if you are allergic to Opicapone or any ingredient in Ongentys. Before you start using this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you:
• Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed;
• Are pregnant or planning to be pregnant;
• Have a sleep disorder that causes daytime sleepiness;
• Have adrenal gland tumor;
• Have kidney disease;
• Have liver disease;
• Have mental illness;
• Have nerve cell tumors;
• Have unusual and intense urges to act on impulse

Tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. There may be drug interactions between Ongentys and other medicines, like linezolid, dopamine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, dobutamine, etc. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known whether Ongentys will harm an unborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is unknown if Opicapone passes into breast milk or if it may affect a nursing infant. Use this medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes. Ongentys is a capsule. This drug is usually taken at bedtime on an empty stomach. Do not eat for at least one hour before and one hour after taking this medicine. Ongentys may cause you to fall asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, or eating. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell your doctor if you have problems with daytime sleepiness. Avoid driving or any activity that requires alertness until you know how the drug affects you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. You can take it at the same time each day to help you remember. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor. Doing so may make your Parkinson’s symptoms get worse. Store at room temperature, away from moisture and light. Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

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