Indications
Safinamide Mesylate is a monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitor. Doctors use it as an add-on treatment alongside levodopa/carbidopa for people with Parkinson's disease who experience "off" episodes. It has not been shown to work when used alone, so it is not a treatment for Parkinson's disease on its own.
⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.
Pharmacology
Nobody knows exactly how Safinamide Mesylate works in Parkinson's disease. What is known is that it inhibits monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). By blocking the breakdown of dopamine, this inhibition is thought to raise dopamine levels and so increase dopaminergic activity in the brain.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Safinamide Mesylate (XADAGO) is Pregnancy Category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of XADAGO in pregnant women. In animals, developmental toxicity, including teratogenic effects, was seen when safinamide was given during pregnancy at clinically relevant doses.
Rat pups that were exposed to safinamide indirectly, through the milk during the lactation period, showed skin discoloration. This was presumed to be caused by hyperbilirubinemia resulting from hepatobiliary toxicity.
It is not known whether the drug is present in human milk. Many drugs are excreted in human milk, and safinamide could cause serious adverse reactions in nursing infants. So a decision should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop the drug, taking into account how important the drug is to the mother.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Dosage Reference
⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.