Safinamide: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Safinamide is a medicine sold in the U.S. under one brand, for parkinson disease. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
Key facts
- Treats
- Parkinson Disease
- Available as
- Tablet
- Sold as
- Xadago
- Prescription?
- Prescription only
- Generic available?
- Not in our catalog
How safinamide is dosed
From the FDA label for Xadago (application NDA207145). Other safinamide products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Start with 50 mg administered orally once daily at the same time of day; after two weeks, the dose may be increased to 100 mg once daily, based on individual need and tolerability ( 2.1 ) Hepatic Impairment: Do not exceed 50 mg once daily in patients with moderate hepatic impairment; contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment ( 2.2 , 4 ) 2.1 Dosing Information The recommended starting dosage of XADAGO is 50 mg administered orally once daily (at the same time of day), without regard to meals. After two weeks, the dosage may be increased to 100 mg once daily, based on individual need and tolerability. Daily dosages of XADAGO above 100 mg have not been shown to provide additional benefit, and higher dosages increase the risk for adverse reactions. XADAGO has been shown to be effective only in combination with levodopa/carbidopa [see Indications and Usage (1) ] . If a dose is missed, the next dose should be taken at the same time the next day. XADAGO 100 mg should be tapered by decreasing the dose to 50 mg for one week before stopping [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] . 2.2 Dosing in Patients with Hepatic Impairment In patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B: 7-9), the maximum recommended dosage of XADAGO is 50 mg orally once daily. XADAGO is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C: 10-15) [see Use in Specific…
Safinamide side effects
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of labeling: Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Dyskinesia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Hallucinations / Psychotic Behavior [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Impulse Control / Compulsive Behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Withdrawal-Emergent Hyperpyrexia and Confusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Retinal Pathology [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence on XADAGO 100 mg/day at least 2% greater than placebo) were dyskinesia, fall, nausea, and insomnia ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact MDD US Operations, LLC, at 1-888-492-3246 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions; therefore, adverse reactions observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to the incidence in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the incidence observed in clinical practice. Common Adverse Reactions in Placebo-Controlled PD Studies Table 1 shows the incidence of adverse reactions with an incidence of at least 2% on XADAGO 100…
Who shouldn’t take safinamide
XADAGO is contraindicated in patients with: Concomitant use of other drugs in the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) class or other drugs that are potent inhibitors of monoamine oxidase, including linezolid. The combination may result in increased blood pressure, including hypertensive crisis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Drug Interactions (7.1) ] . Concomitant use of opioid drugs (e.g., meperidine and its derivatives, methadone, propoxyphene, or tramadol); serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic, tetracyclic, or triazolopyridine antidepressants; cyclobenzaprine; methylphenidate, amphetamine, and their derivatives; or St John's wort. Concomitant use could result in life-threatening serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Drug Interactions (7.2 , 7.3 , 7.5) ] . Concomitant use of dextromethorphan. The combination of MAOIs and dextromethorphan has been reported to cause episodes of psychosis or abnormal behavior [see Drug Interactions (7.4) ] . A history of a hypersensitivity to safinamide. Reactions have included swelling of the tongue and oral mucosa, and dyspnea. Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C: 10-15) [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) ] . XADAGO is contraindicated in patients with: Concomitant use of the following drugs: Other monoamine oxidase inhibitors or other drugs that are potent inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (e.g., linezolid) ( 4 , 7.1 ) Opioid drugs (e.g., tramadol, meperidine and related derivatives); serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors; tri-or tetra-cyclic or triazolopyridine antidepressants; cyclobenzaprine; methylphenidate, amphetamine, and their derivatives; St. John's wort ( 4 , 7.2 , 7.3 , 7.5 ) Dextromethorphan ( 4 , 7.4 ) A history of a hypersensitivity to safinamide ( 4 ) Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C: 10-15) ( 4 )
Safinamide drug interactions
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: Monitor patients for serotonin syndrome ( 7.3 ) Sympathomimetic Medications: Monitor patients for hypertension ( 7.5 ) Tyramine: Risk of severe hypertension ( 7.6 ) 7.1 MAO Inhibitors (MAOIs) XADAGO is contraindicated for use with other drugs in the MAOIs class or other drugs that are potent inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (e.g., linezolid, an oxazolidinone antibacterial, which also has reversible nonselective MAO inhibition activity). Co-administration increases the risk of nonselective MAO inhibition, which may lead to hypertensive crisis [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of XADAGO and initiation of treatment with other MAOIs. Isoniazid has some monoamine oxidase inhibiting activity. Monitor for hypertension and reaction to dietary tyramine in patients treated concomitantly with isoniazid and XADAGO. 7.2 Opioid Drugs Because serious, sometimes fatal reactions have been precipitated with concomitant use of opioid drugs (e.g., meperidine and its derivatives, methadone, propoxyphene, or tramadol) and MAOIs, including selective MAO-B inhibitors, concomitant use of these drugs is contraindicated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of XADAGO and initiation of treatment with these drugs. 7.3 Serotonergic Drugs Concomitant use of XADAGO with SNRIs; triazolopyridine, tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants; cyclobenzaprine (a skeletal muscle relaxant that is a tricyclic antidepressant derivative); or St. John's wort is contraindicated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of XADAGO and initiation of treatment with these drugs. Monitor patients for symptoms of serotonin syndrome if SSRIs are used by patients treated with XADAGO [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . 7.4 Dextromethorphan The combination of MAOIs and dextromethorphan has been reported to cause episodes of psychosis or bizarre behavior. Therefore, in view of XADAGO's MAO inhibitory activity, dextromethorphan is contraindicated for use with XADAGO. 7.5 Sympathomimetic Medications Severe hypertensive reactions have followed the administration of sympathomimetics and nonselective MAOIs. Hypertensive crisis has been reported in patients taking the recommended doses of selective MAO-B inhibitors and sympathomimetic medications. Concomitant use of XADAGO with methylphenidate, amphetamine, and their derivatives is contraindicated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.2) ] . Monitor patients for hypertension if XADAGO is prescribed concomitantly with prescription or nonprescription sympathomimetic medications, including nasal, oral, or ophthalmic decongestants and cold remedies [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . 7.6 Tyramine MAO in the gastrointestinal tract and liver (primarily type A) provides protection from exogenous amines (e.g., tyramine). If tyramine were absorbed intact, it could lead to severe hypertension, including hypertensive crisis. Aged, fermented, cured, smoked, and pickled foods containing large amounts of exogenous amines (e.g., aged cheese, pickled herring) may cause release of norepinephrine resulting in a rise in blood pressure (Tyramine Reaction). Patients should be advised to avoid foods containing a large amount of tyramine while taking recommended doses of XADAGO [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Selectivity for inhibiting MAO-B decreases in a dose-related manner above the highest recommended daily dosage, which may increase the risk for hypertension [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] . In addition, isoniazid has some monoamine oxidase inhibiting activity. Monitor for hypertension and reaction to dietary tyramine in patients treated with isoniazid and XADAGO [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . 7.7 Dopaminergic Antagonists Dopamine antagonists, such as antipsychotics or metoclopramide, may decrease the effectiveness of XADAGO and exacerbate the symptoms of PD.
Every safinamide product we track (1)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
Only one: Xadago.
What safinamide pills look like
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
| Imprint | Strength | Colour | Shape | Maker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 mg | orange | round | — |
| 100 | 100 mg | orange | round | — |
What people report to the FDA about safinamide
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 44 reports naming safinamide, and the FDA flagged 89% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- dyskinesia7 reports
- fall6 reports
- infusion site induration6 reports
- decreased appetite5 reports
- loss of personal independence in daily activities4 reports
- on and off phenomenon4 reports
- parkinson^s disease4 reports
- therapeutic product effect incomplete4 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean safinamide caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved July 26, 2026.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What is safinamide?
XADAGO tablets contain safinamide, which is a MAO-B inhibitor, as the mesylate salt.
Can you take safinamide with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run safinamide against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What forms does safinamide come in?
Across the brands we track, safinamide is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic safinamide?
We do not currently list a generic-labelled safinamide product. That does not always mean none exists — it means none appears under a generic name in the FDA data we track. Ask your pharmacist.
Cite this page
- APA
- pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Safinamide: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/safinamide
- MLA
- “Safinamide: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/safinamide.
We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Read the full FDA label for safinamide on DailyMed (NIH) ↗.