Side effects of the catechol-O-methyl-transferase inhibitor Ro 40-7592 in rabbits.

Catechol-O-methyl-transferase inhibitors are promising drugs in Parkinson's disease since these drugs enhance levodopa effects and increase their duration. However, since these compounds block a pathway for the peripheral metabolism of catecholamines, they may also produce side effects related to elevation of catecholamines in plasma. We investigated the adverse effects of Ro 40-7592 in rabbits and the relationship of Ro 40-7592 to norepinephrine plasma levels.