Tolcapone

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Tolcapone
Systematic (IUPAC) name
2-dihydroxyamino-4- (4-methylbenzoyl)- cyclohexa-2,4-diene-1,6-dione
Identifiers
CAS number	134308-13-7
ATC code	N04BX01
PubChem	4659569
DrugBank	APRD00445
Chemical data
Formula	C14H11NO5
Mol. mass	273.241 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	65%
Protein binding	>99.9%
Metabolism	?
Half life	2-3.5 hours
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	C(US)
Legal status	℞-only(US)
Routes	Oral

Tolcapone is a drug that inhibits the enzyme catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT). It is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease as an adjunct to levodopa/carbidopa medication. It is a yellow, odorless, non-hygroscopic, crystalline compound with a relative molecular mass of 273.25. The chemical name of tolcapone is 3,4-dihydroxy-4’-methyl-5-nitrobenzophenone. Its empirical formula is C14H11NO5.

Tolcapone has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and thus exerts its COMT inhibitory effects in the CNS as well as in the periphery.

Tolcapone has demonstrated significant hepatotoxicity that limits the drugs therapeutic utility to a drug of last resort. Entacapone, another COMT inhibitor, is a more popular selection for L-Dopa adjunct therapy in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease because it has a better side effect and toxicity profile.