The efficacy of Levodopa+DDC inhibitor+Entacapone versus Levodopa+DDC inhibitor+Placebo in Parkinson's disease: an intervention review

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) has many possible treatment options. The main therapy uses a drug called levodopa. However after prolonged use, this drug begins to wear off and becomes less effective. Therefore additional drugs are needed to help ensure the patient is comfortable and to aid the relief of symptoms that can often occur. The addition of the COMT inhibitor, entacapone, aims to reduce motor symptoms and smooth out fluctuations that can sometimes be experienced with levodopa therapy. These can include bradykinesia, which is slowness of movement and help to control the resting tremor that is often associated with PD. The aim of this review is to determine if adding entacapone to existing levodopa therapy helps to improve patients motor symptoms and improve their ability to carry out every day activities; these outcomes will be measured using the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale UPDRS.