Comtess® Versus Cabaseril® as Add-on to Levodopa in the Treatment of Parkinsonian Patients Suffering From Wearing- Off.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Comtess® Versus Cabaseril® as Add-on to Levodopa in the Treatment of Parkinsonian Patients Suffering From Wearing-Off Phenomenon

Multi-centre, randomised, parallel-group study, rater-blinded. Total duration of the study per subject is 12 weeks plus a one- to two-week screening period. There are 6 pre-planned visits per subject: screening visit followed by 5 visits. Approximately 300 patients altogether in up to 25 active German study centres and up to 3 active Lithuanian study centres will be randomised.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients suffering from idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (PD) with wearing-off phenomenon
• OFF-time per day >= 60 min after the first ON-period in the morning
• 3-5 daily dosages of standard levodopa/DDC inhibitor
• stable antiparkinsonian treatment 3 weeks prior to the randomisation

Exclusion Criteria:

• symptomatic parkinsonism
• concomitant treatment with non-selective MAO inhibitors or a selective MAO-A inhibitor while treated with a MAO-B inhibitor already
• concomitant treatment with one of the following catechol-structured drugs: rimiterol, isoprenaline, adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, dobutamine or apomorphine
• concomitant treatment with alpha-methyldopa, reserpine, typical or atypical neuroleptics, neuroleptic antiemetics (such as metoclopramide) or other drugs with antidopaminergic action
• treatment with COMT-inhibitors 4 weeks prior to the randomisation
• treatment with dopamine agonists 4 weeks prior to the randomisation
• known hypersensitivity to ergot derivatives and entacapone
• dementia (MMSE <= 24)
• depression (Beck Scale >= 17)