Safinamide

Safinamide is a medicine used to treat Parkinson's disease. It helps to provide better control of body movements and prevents excessive shaking and stiffness. It increases the concentration of a chemical in the brain called dopamine that plays a major role in movement control. Safinamide can be taken alone or in combination with other medicines. It may be taken with or without food, but preferably take it in the morning. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. You should never skip any doses and try to finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly without talking to your doctor as it can result in confusion, stiff muscles and a high fever. Some common side effects of this medicine include cough, depression, indigestion, joint pain and insomnia (difficulty sleeping). It even causes dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. It is suggested to reduce/avoid a high-protein diet (eg.meat, poultry, and dairy products) while taking Safinamide as it can cause unsafe high blood pressure. You should also let your healthcare team know all other medicines you are taking as they may affect, or be affected by, this medicine. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using it. Safinamide works by increasing the amount of dopamine, a chemical messenger that is needed to control movement in the brain.

• Parkinson's disease

The precise mechanism by which safinamide exerts its effect in PD is unknown Inhibition of MAO-B activity, by blocking the catabolism of dopamine, is thought to result in an increase in dopamine levels and a subsequent increase in dopaminergic activity in the brain

Adult Dose: Parkinson Disease Indicated as add-on treatment for patients with Parkinson disease who are currently taking levodopa/carbidopa and experiencing “off” episodes Initial: 50 mg PO qDay After 2 weeks, may increase dose to 100 mg PO qDay, based on individual need and tolerability Doses >100 mg/day have not shown additional benefit Hepatic impairment Moderate (Child-Pugh B: 7-9): Not to exceed 50 mg/day Severe (Child-Pugh C: 10-15): Contraindicated

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Safinamide may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

Common: • Cough • Depression • Indigestion • Flu-like symptoms • Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping) • Joint pain • Peripheral edema

[UNSAFE] Safinamide may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur. Safinamide can be taken with or without food or as directed by your doctor. Reduce/avoid a high-protein diet (eg.meat, poultry, and dairy products) while you are taking the medicine as it may cause an unsafe rise in your blood pressure. Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration as Safinamide can make you very sleepy. Talk to your doctor in case you develop hallucinations or other changes in your behavior. Do not stop taking Safinamide without first talking to your doctor. Sudden stopping may cause confusion, stiff muscles and a high fever.

History of hypersensitivity to safinamide; reactions include swelling of the tongue and oral mucosa, and dyspnea Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C: 10-15)

Coadministration with other monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or drugs that are potent inhibitors of MAO (eg, linezolid); combination may result in increased blood pressure, including hypertensive crisis Coadministration with opioids (eg, meperidine and its derivatives, methadone, tramadol); serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs); tricyclic, tetracyclic, or triazolopyridine antidepressants; cyclobenzaprine; methylphenidate, amphetamine, and their derivatives; or St John’s wort; combination could result in life-threatening serotonin syndrome Coadministration with dextromethorphan; combination of MAOIs and dextromethorphan has been reported to cause episodes of psychosis or abnormal behavior

[UNSAFE] Safinamide may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] Safinamide may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] Safinamide is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Safinamide is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Safinamide may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor. [CAUTION] Safinamide should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Safinamide may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Parkinson's disease tremors ,Insomnia. Use Dhanadanayanadi kashayam 15ml twice a day with 15 ml water before food and Zandopa 10 grams twice a day witk milk after food and Tab Dhanvantari Vati 1-0-1 after food for 2 months My mother suffering from Parkinson disease from 7 year , any affective medicine ?? Both hand and leg is shaking ,hardly stand up from bed himself, using parking tablet, syndopa plus and parkitidin Dear sir Parkinson's can only be managed with Homeopathy. There are few medicines which are used to improve quality of life and decrease disease progression Parkinson's disease for 25 yrs. Taking allopathy Suggestions needed Kindly consult to any good Ayuvedic Panchkarma center. Panchkarma therapy will give you some result . Hi my mom had Parkinson's disease but didn't get any operation but using tablets syndopa last night she take another tablet of pain killer with it by the morning my mom to full shivering of hands and legs so what do u suggest to do? need to examine to opine My father suffering from Parkinson's disease Suffering from last 7year Treatment is going on of neurologist yes than what is the problem treatment for Parkinson's disease taking now syndopa cr 125, raslect n other medicine isn't this disease fully curable pls help n give u r opinion MEDICINE CONTROLS THE SYMTOMS. IF MEDICINES FAIL TO CONTROL THE DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION SURGERY IS BEING DONE. At times my fingers shiver when I hold cup, paper etc it's subconscious as in I do not notice it person Accompanying me notices I have no other health issues. Does this indicate Parkinson's disease? How is it diagnosed? not sure; show to neuro My father has parkinson's disease from last 12 year. In last 2012 he got severe pneumonia and has been admitted in AIIMS .He was treated with various antibiotics.he came out but got bed ridden after that.From last few year he just sit on his own. he is currently taking bexol 1mg three times, syndopa 125 plus 3 times, ropark XL 3 times.now from few year he got hallucination and cound not sleep in night and constantly talking in night(Some Nights not always).During his stay in AIIMS Dr. prescribed quetiapine 12.5 mg which he is not currently taking.please advice some medicien so that he atleast can sleep at night. Start Oleanz 2.5 mg at nite