COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2006--Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (NYSE:VRX) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved less-restrictive labeling for Tasmar (tolcapone), the company's COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) inhibitor product for Parkinson's disease patients undergoing treatment with levodopa/carbidopa. The new labeling calls for less frequent laboratory monitoring for patients taking the drug, and allows patients to remain on Tasmar at higher ALT levels than previously required. The less-restrictive monitoring requirements may make physicians more comfortable prescribing Tasmar, potentially allowing more Parkinson's disease patients to benefit from the up to 3.2 hours reduction in daily "off" time Tasmar has been shown to provide.
