Ongentys (opicapone) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for Parkinson’s disease in adults. Ongentys comes as an oral capsule that’s typically taken once per day before bed. The dosage can vary, depending on your liver function.
Ongentys is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat “off” episodes of Parkinson’s disease symptoms, in adults who are also taking levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet, others) to treat Parkinson’s disease. Ongentys is not approved to treat Parkinson’s disease on its own.
Ongentys belongs to a drug class called catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors. Ongentys is not available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Ongentys, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Ongentys, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Ongentys provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Ongentys, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Below is information about Ongentys’s form, strengths, and dosages.
Ongentys form
Ongentys comes as an oral capsule.
Ongentys strengths
Ongentys comes in two strengths: 25 milligrams (mg) and 50 mg.
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown below.
Dosage for ”off“ episodes of Parkinson’s disease
Doctors may prescribe Ongentys to treat “off” episodes of Parkinson’s disease. The drug is taken with levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet, others) for this purpose. Ongentys isn’t approved for use on its own to treat Parkinson’s disease.
If your doctor prescribes Ongentys for your Parkinson’s disease symptoms, your starting dose will likely be 50 mg taken once per day before you go to sleep. This is the maintenance and maximum dose of Ongentys that’s recommended.
If you have a liver condition, your doctor may prescribe a dose of 25 mg taken once per day before bed. But if your liver condition is severe, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Ongentys.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
How to take Ongentys
Ongentys comes as an oral capsule that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, or chew the capsule. Ongentys should be taken on an empty stomach. This means you should not eat for 1 hour before and at least 1 hour after taking Ongentys.
You should take Ongentys at the same time each day, just before you go to sleep. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Ongentys can work effectively.
If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
General guidance:
If you have questions about how to use Ongentys, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Long-term treatment
Ongentys is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Ongentys is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.
Before you start taking Ongentys, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having difficulty opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Ongentys in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
It’s important that you don’t take more Ongentys than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Ongentys
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Ongentys. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.