Xadago 50mg Tablets

Manufacturer US WORLDMEDS Active Ingredient Safinamide(sa FIN a mide) Pronunciation sa-FIN-a-mide
It is used to treat "off" episodes (when a dose wears off) in people with Parkinson's disease.
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Drug Class
Antiparkinsonian agent
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Pharmacologic Class
Selective, reversible monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor
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Pregnancy Category
Not available
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FDA Approved
Mar 2017
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DEA Schedule
Not Controlled

Overview

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What is this medicine?

Xadago is a medication used to treat Parkinson's disease. It works by helping to increase the amount of a natural substance called dopamine in your brain, which can help reduce 'off' times (periods when your Parkinson's symptoms return) when taken with levodopa/carbidopa.
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How to Use This Medicine

Taking Your Medication Correctly

To get the most benefit from your medication, follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Read all the information provided with your prescription and follow the instructions closely. Take your medication at the same time every day, with or without food, as directed by your doctor. Continue taking your medication as prescribed by your doctor or healthcare provider, even if you start to feel better.

Storing and Disposing of Your Medication

Store your medication at room temperature in a dry location, avoiding the bathroom. Keep all medications in a safe and secure place, out of the reach of children and pets, to prevent accidental ingestion.

What to Do If You Miss a Dose

If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses at the same time or take extra doses to make up for the missed dose.
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Lifestyle & Tips

  • Take Xadago once daily, with or without food, at approximately the same time each day.
  • Do not crush, chew, or divide the tablet.
  • Avoid consuming large amounts of tyramine-rich foods (e.g., aged cheese, cured meats, fermented products) while taking Xadago, although strict dietary restrictions are generally not required at recommended doses due to its MAO-B selectivity. Discuss any dietary concerns with your doctor.
  • Avoid alcohol or use with caution, as it may increase side effects.
  • Be aware of potential interactions with other medications, especially over-the-counter cold/flu remedies containing decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine) or cough suppressants (e.g., dextromethorphan). Always inform your doctor and pharmacist about all medications you are taking.
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Available Forms & Alternatives

Dosing & Administration

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Adult Dosing

Standard Dose: 50 mg orally once daily, may increase to 100 mg orally once daily after 2 weeks
Dose Range: 50 - 100 mg

Condition-Specific Dosing:

adjunctive_therapy: Used as adjunctive treatment to levodopa/carbidopa in patients with Parkinson's disease experiencing 'off' episodes.
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Pediatric Dosing

Neonatal: Not established
Infant: Not established
Child: Not established
Adolescent: Not established
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Dose Adjustments

Renal Impairment:

Mild: No dose adjustment required
Moderate: No dose adjustment required
Severe: Not studied; use with caution or avoid
Dialysis: Not studied; use with caution or avoid

Hepatic Impairment:

Mild: No dose adjustment required
Moderate: Maximum dose 50 mg once daily
Severe: Contraindicated

Pharmacology

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Mechanism of Action

Safinamide is a selective and reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). It is thought to increase the extracellular levels of dopamine in the striatum by inhibiting the metabolism of dopamine. Safinamide also modulates glutamatergic neurotransmission by inhibiting voltage-dependent sodium channels and calcium channels, which may contribute to its antiparkinsonian effects.
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Pharmacokinetics

Absorption:

Bioavailability: Approximately 95%
Tmax: 2-4 hours
FoodEffect: A high-fat meal increases Tmax by 1-2 hours, Cmax by 20%, and AUC by 10%, but this is not considered clinically significant. Can be taken with or without food.

Distribution:

Vd: Approximately 100 L
ProteinBinding: Approximately 89-90%
CnssPenetration: Yes

Elimination:

HalfLife: 20-30 hours
Clearance: Not available
ExcretionRoute: Primarily renal (76%), with a small amount in feces (1.5%)
Unchanged: <10%
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Pharmacodynamics

OnsetOfAction: Within 2 weeks of initiation/titration
PeakEffect: Within 2 weeks of initiation/titration
DurationOfAction: 24 hours (allows once-daily dosing)

Safety & Warnings

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Side Effects

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Right Away

Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of high blood pressure, including:
+ Severe headache
+ Dizziness
+ Fainting
+ Changes in eyesight
New or worsening trouble controlling body movements
Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
Changes in behavior
Feeling confused or agitated
Strong, uncontrollable urges (such as eating, gambling, sex, or spending money)
Changes in eyesight
Falls

Serotonin Syndrome: A Potentially Life-Threatening Condition

If you take this medication with certain other drugs, you may be at risk for a severe and potentially deadly condition called serotonin syndrome. Seek medical help immediately if you experience:

Agitation
Changes in balance
Confusion
Hallucinations
Fever
Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Flushing
Muscle twitching or stiffness
Seizures
Shivering or shaking
Excessive sweating
Severe diarrhea
Upset stomach
Vomiting
Severe headache

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If you experience any of the following side effects or any others that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor:

Upset stomach
Trouble sleeping

Reporting Side Effects

If you have questions about side effects or want to report any, you can:

Call your doctor for medical advice
Contact the FDA at 1-800-332-1088
* Report side effects online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch
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Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:

  • Severe headache, neck stiffness, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, vomiting (signs of hypertensive crisis)
  • Agitation, confusion, hallucinations, rapid heart rate, fever, sweating, shivering, severe muscle stiffness or twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (signs of serotonin syndrome)
  • New or worsening involuntary movements (dyskinesia)
  • New or worsening unusual urges or behaviors (e.g., gambling, increased sexual urges, compulsive shopping, binge eating)
  • Hallucinations or delusions
  • Sudden onset of sleep or extreme drowsiness
  • Changes in vision
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Before Using This Medicine

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following conditions and situations to ensure safe treatment:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction and its symptoms.
If you have liver disease, as this may affect the medication's safety and efficacy.
If you have taken certain medications for depression or Parkinson's disease within the last 14 days, including isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline, as this can increase the risk of very high blood pressure.
If you are currently taking linezolid or methylene blue, as these medications can interact with this drug.
* If you are taking any other medications, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, natural products, or vitamins, that should not be taken with this medication. This includes certain medications for cough, cold, depression, mood problems, or pain, as there are many drugs that can interact with this medication.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all potential interactions or health problems that may affect the safety of this medication. Therefore, it is crucial to inform your doctor and pharmacist about all your medications, health problems, and concerns to ensure it is safe for you to take this medication. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor.
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Precautions & Cautions

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication. Until you understand how this drug affects you, avoid driving and other activities that require alertness.

Monitor your blood pressure regularly, as directed by your doctor, since this medication can cause high blood pressure. Certain foods and beverages, such as cheese and red wine, may trigger a sudden and severe increase in blood pressure, which can be life-threatening. Discuss your risk with your doctor and obtain a list of foods and drinks to avoid. Refrain from consuming these items for the duration specified by your doctor, even after you stop taking this medication.

Be aware that some individuals have experienced sudden sleep episodes while engaging in activities like driving, eating, or conversing. These episodes can occur without warning, even if you feel alert, and may happen up to 1 year after starting this medication. If you experience sudden sleepiness or fall asleep during activities, do not drive or participate in tasks that require alertness. Immediately contact your doctor if you experience excessive sleepiness or sudden sleep episodes.

Do not abruptly discontinue this medication without consulting your doctor, as this may increase your risk of side effects. If you need to stop taking this drug, your doctor will provide guidance on gradually tapering off the medication.

Before consuming alcohol, marijuana, or other cannabis products, or taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that may impair your reactions, consult with your doctor. Additionally, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, as you will need to discuss the potential benefits and risks to both you and your baby.
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Overdose Information

Overdose Symptoms:

  • Hypertensive crisis
  • Serotonin syndrome
  • Dyskinesia
  • Psychotic symptoms

What to Do:

Seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or your local emergency number. For poison control, call 1-800-222-1222.

Drug Interactions

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Contraindicated Interactions

  • Other MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, selegiline, rasagiline, linezolid, methylene blue) - risk of hypertensive crisis, serotonin syndrome
  • Meperidine
  • Tramadol
  • Methadone
  • Propoxyphene
  • Cyclobenzaprine
  • St. John's Wort
  • Dextromethorphan
  • Sympathomimetics (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, ephedrine, amphetamines)
  • Triptans (e.g., sumatriptan, zolmitriptan)
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Major Interactions

  • SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram)
  • SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine)
  • TCAs (e.g., amitriptyline, imipramine)
  • Bupropion
  • Other antidepressants (risk of serotonin syndrome)
  • Levodopa (may exacerbate dyskinesia)
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Moderate Interactions

  • Opioids (other than contraindicated ones, e.g., fentanyl, oxycodone - monitor for serotonin syndrome)
  • Antihypertensives (monitor blood pressure)
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Confidence Interactions

Monitoring

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Baseline Monitoring

Blood pressure

Rationale: Risk of hypertensive reactions, especially with contraindicated drugs or foods.

Timing: Prior to initiation

Liver function tests (LFTs)

Rationale: To assess hepatic impairment, as dose adjustments are needed for moderate impairment and contraindicated in severe.

Timing: Prior to initiation

Ophthalmologic examination

Rationale: Safinamide is structurally related to compounds that can cause retinal degeneration in animals; although not observed in human trials, baseline assessment is prudent.

Timing: Prior to initiation

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Routine Monitoring

Blood pressure

Frequency: Periodically, especially during dose titration and if symptoms of hypertension occur.

Target: Individualized

Action Threshold: Significant increase, symptomatic hypertension

Motor fluctuations (e.g., dyskinesia, 'off' time)

Frequency: Regularly during follow-up visits

Target: Reduction in 'off' time, manageable dyskinesia

Action Threshold: Worsening dyskinesia (may require levodopa dose reduction), inadequate 'off' time improvement

Psychiatric symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, psychosis, impulse control disorders)

Frequency: Regularly during follow-up visits

Target: Absence or control of symptoms

Action Threshold: Emergence or worsening of symptoms (may require dose reduction or discontinuation)

Symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome

Frequency: Ongoing, especially if co-administered with serotonergic drugs

Target: Absence of symptoms

Action Threshold: Agitation, confusion, diaphoresis, hyperthermia, tremor, myoclonus, hyperreflexia

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Symptom Monitoring

  • Hypertensive crisis symptoms (e.g., severe headache, blurred vision, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, sweating, anxiety)
  • Serotonin syndrome symptoms (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma, rapid heart rate, fluctuating blood pressure, fever, sweating, shivering, tremor, muscle rigidity, twitching, incoordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
  • Dyskinesia (involuntary movements)
  • Hallucinations or psychotic behavior
  • Impulse control/compulsive behaviors (e.g., gambling, hypersexuality, binge eating, compulsive shopping)
  • Orthostatic hypotension
  • Retinal changes (e.g., visual disturbances)

Special Patient Groups

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Pregnancy

There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of safinamide in pregnant women. Animal studies have shown adverse effects on embryofetal development at clinically relevant exposures. Xadago should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Trimester-Specific Risks:

First Trimester: Potential for embryofetal toxicity based on animal data.
Second Trimester: Potential for embryofetal toxicity based on animal data.
Third Trimester: Potential for embryofetal toxicity based on animal data.
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Lactation

It is unknown if safinamide or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. Safinamide and/or its metabolites were excreted in the milk of lactating rats. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants, including the potential for MAO-B inhibition, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Infant Risk: Moderate risk (L3) - potential for MAO-B inhibition and other adverse effects in infant; unknown human milk excretion.
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Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of Xadago in pediatric patients have not been established. It is not indicated for use in this population.

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Geriatric Use

No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly (â‰Ĩ65 years) and younger patients. No dose adjustment is required based on age alone, but monitor for increased sensitivity to adverse effects.

Clinical Information

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Clinical Pearls

  • Xadago is an add-on therapy for Parkinson's patients experiencing 'off' episodes while on levodopa/carbidopa.
  • Unlike non-selective MAO inhibitors, safinamide's MAO-B selectivity at recommended doses generally means strict tyramine dietary restrictions are not required, but caution with very large amounts of tyramine-rich foods is still advised.
  • Careful monitoring for serotonin syndrome is crucial, especially when co-administered with other serotonergic drugs.
  • Patients should be educated on the signs and symptoms of impulse control disorders and advised to report them to their physician.
  • Dyskinesia may worsen, and levodopa dose reduction may be necessary.
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Alternative Therapies

  • Other MAO-B inhibitors (e.g., rasagiline, selegiline)
  • COMT inhibitors (e.g., entacapone, opicapone)
  • Dopamine agonists (e.g., pramipexole, ropinirole, rotigotine)
  • Amantadine (for dyskinesia or 'off' time)
  • Istradefylline (adenosine A2A receptor antagonist)
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Cost & Coverage

Average Cost: Varies, typically $600-$1000+ per 30 tablets
Insurance Coverage: Tier 3 or Specialty Tier (requires prior authorization)
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General Drug Facts

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it is essential to contact your doctor promptly. To ensure safe and effective treatment, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so it's a good idea to check with your pharmacist for more information. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide details about the medication taken, the amount, and the time it happened.