Safinamide - Indications, Dosage, Side Effects and Precautions

• Patients should be informed that safinamide can increase blood pressure even at the recommended dose of safinamide. • Tyramine-containing foods such as aged, smoked or fermented meats, cheese, pickled foods, and eggs should be avoided as they may elevate the blood pressure in patients taking the recommended dose of safinamide. • Patients on safinamide are at a risk o‍​‍‍‍​‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍​‍f drowsiness, therefore patients should be advised not to drive or operate heavy machinery or work at heights while on the medication. • Patients should be asked to report to the physician immediately if they experience a compulsive behavior such as the urge to gamble, spend more money, binge eating or sexual urge. In this case, either dose reduction or stopping the therapy is advised. Safinamide therapy may cause a condition of uncontrolled involuntary muscle movements (dyskinesia) or worsen existing cases; therefore, the dose should be reduced according to the patient’s reaction to the drug. • Sudden withdrawal or rapid dose reduction is not advised as it may lead to increased temperature, altered consciousness, and rigidity of muscles.