safinamide methansulfonate at a glance
Medicine class
Selective, reversible monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor.
Licensed role
Add-on treatment for adults with mid- to late-stage Parkinson’s disease and motor fluctuations despite established levodopa treatment.
Administration
Swallow the film-coated tablet with water. It may be taken with or without food.
Driving
Sleepiness and dizziness can occur; avoid driving or hazardous machinery until you know how safinamide affects you.
What is safinamide methansulfonate used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease in adults with mid- to late-stage motor fluctuations, as add-on therapy to stable levodopa alone or levodopa combined with other Parkinson’s treatments.
How does safinamide methansulfonate work?
Safinamide reversibly blocks monoamine oxidase-B, reducing dopamine breakdown and increasing dopamine availability in movement-related brain pathways. It also affects voltage-gated sodium channels and stimulated glutamate release, although the contribution of these non-dopaminergic effects to its clinical benefit is uncertain.
safinamide methansulfonate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg, 100 mg
How to take safinamide methansulfonate
Take the tablet by mouth exactly as shown on the dispensing label. Swallow it with water, with or without food. Do not alter or stop treatment without discussing this with the prescriber or Parkinson’s team.
Check with a pharmacist before using non-prescription cough, cold or decongestant products.
If safinamide causes sleepiness or dizziness, avoid driving and hazardous machinery.
safinamide methansulfonate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Involuntary or jerky movements, which may worsen when safinamide is combined with levodopa
- Sleepiness, dizziness or headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- A fall in blood pressure on standing
- Nausea
- Falls
- Clouding of the eye’s lens
Get urgent medical advice
- Collapse or symptoms of severely raised or lowered blood pressure
- Confusion, sweating, fever and severe muscle stiffness
- Confusion, hallucinations, high blood pressure and muscle stiffness, particularly with serotonergic medicines
- Swelling of the face or throat or breathing difficulty
- New suicidal thoughts or severe behavioural changes
safinamide methansulfonate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are absent or limited, and animal studies found reproductive toxicity. Safinamide is not recommended during pregnancy or without effective contraception where pregnancy is possible. Discuss pregnancy planning or a suspected pregnancy promptly with the prescriber rather than stopping treatment independently.
safinamide methansulfonate while breastfeeding
Safinamide should not be used while breastfeeding because animal data show transfer into milk and a risk to the breastfed child cannot be excluded. A specialist or prescriber should discuss alternative feeding or treatment options.
safinamide methansulfonate interactions
A full medicines review is important, including prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products.
Other monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Concomitant use is contraindicated because loss of MAO-B selectivity may cause a hypertensive crisis.
Pethidine
Concomitant use is contraindicated because serious reactions have occurred with MAO inhibitors.
SSRIs, SNRIs and tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants
Serious serotonergic reactions are possible; specialist review is advised, with fluoxetine or fluvoxamine generally avoided.
Common questions about safinamide methansulfonate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is safinamide the same as levodopa?
No. Safinamide is an MAO-B inhibitor added to established levodopa treatment to help manage motor fluctuations.
Does safinamide cure Parkinson’s disease?
No. It helps control movement symptoms and fluctuations but does not cure the underlying condition.
Can safinamide be taken with food?
Yes. The tablet may be taken with or without food and should be swallowed with water.
What should I do if I miss safinamide?
Skip the missed tablet and take the next one at the usual time. Do not take a double amount.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.