Comtan and Flax

• Generic Name: entacapone
• Dosage Forms: tablet, film coated
• Other Brand Names: Comtan

When used with carbidopa and levodopa (Atamet, Parcopa, Sinemet), Comtan increases levels of levodopa in the body.

Comtan is used together with carbidopa and levodopa to treat "wearing-off" symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms, and poor muscle control.

Comtan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: flax
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names:

  Flax Seed Oil, Flax Oil

Flax is the seed of a plant called Linum usitatissimum, and is also known as Flax Seed, Alasi, Aliviraaii, Brown Flaxseed, Brown-Seeded Flax, Echter Lein, Flachssamen, Flax Hull, Flax Lignans, Gemeiner Flachs, Graine de Lin, Kattan, Keten, Leinsamen, Lignans, Lin, Oléagineux, Lin Textile, Linaza, Lini Semen, Linho, Lino, Linseed, Lint Bells, Linum, Malsag, Phytoestrogen, Ta Ma, Tisii, Winterlien, and other names.

Flax has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and some autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Flax has also been used to treat osteoporosis. However, research has shown that flax may not be effective in treating this condition.

Other uses not proven with research have included enlarged prostate, heart disease, constipation, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, menopausal symptoms, weight loss, diverticulitis, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cancer (prostate, breast, lung, endometrial), and others.

It is not certain whether flax is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Flax should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Flax is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Flax may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.