Xadago Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Xadago Tablet (safinamide) is a prescription medicine used along with levodopa/carbidopa to treat Parkinson's disease in adults. It is used to help with 'off' episodes, which are times when Parkinson's symptoms suddenly come back between doses of levodopa/carbidopa. Xadago belongs to a class of medicines called dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents, specifically a monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor. It is taken once daily together with levodopa/carbidopa and is not meant to be used alone.

What is Xadago Tablet

Xadago is a prescription tablet used along with levodopa/carbidopa to treat Parkinson's disease in adults. It is used to help with 'off' episodes, which are times when Parkinson's symptoms suddenly come back between doses of levodopa/carbidopa. Its generic name is safinamide, and it belongs to the dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agent class, acting as a monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor.

Xadago Tablet uses

• Add-on treatment with levodopa/carbidopa for adults with Parkinson's disease who have 'off' episodes
• Helps reduce how much time patients spend in an 'off' period and how severe it is
• Helps improve movement-related symptoms like stiffness, tremor, and trouble moving

Benefits of Xadago Tablet

• Can help decrease daily 'off' time in people with mid- to late-stage Parkinson's disease
• Helps improve movement control when used with levodopa/carbidopa
• Some people noticed improved movement within 2 to 4 weeks of starting treatment

How Xadago Tablet works

Xadago blocks an enzyme called monoamine oxidase type B, which normally breaks down dopamine in the brain. By blocking this enzyme, the medicine helps raise and extend the amount of dopamine available, which can ease movement symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Xadago Tablet dosage

Xadago must be taken together with levodopa/carbidopa; it is not meant to be used alone. It is taken once per day, usually at the same time each day, and can be taken with or without food. Try pairing the daily dose with part of your routine, such as after breakfast, to help remember it.

If a dose is missed, skip it and take the next dose at the regular time the next day; do not take two doses at once. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how the medicine affects you, since it can cause sudden sleepiness. While taking this medicine and for a period after stopping, avoid foods high in tyramine, such as aged, cured, smoked, fermented, or pickled foods.

Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor, since symptoms can worsen if it is stopped abruptly; your doctor will likely lower the dose gradually over time if treatment is stopped. Blood pressure should be checked regularly while taking this medicine.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet (50 mg)
• Tablet (100 mg)

Side effects of Xadago Tablet

Common

• Uncontrolled or sudden involuntary muscle movements (dyskinesia)
• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping or falling asleep (insomnia)
• Accidental falls or dizziness/lightheadedness

Serious

• High blood pressure (hypertension) or worsening of existing high blood pressure
• Serotonin syndrome (a life-threatening reaction), especially when combined with certain other medicines
• Sudden sleep onset or severe drowsiness during daily activities like driving
• Hallucinations and psychosis, confusion, or unusual thoughts
• Unusual or intense urges, such as compulsive gambling, binge eating, or excessive spending
• Vision changes from retinal changes
• Allergic reaction, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat and trouble breathing
• Seizure
• Fever, sweating, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take Xadago with other MAO inhibitors, opioids, SNRIs, certain antidepressants, St. John's wort, or the cough medicine dextromethorphan, since these combinations can be dangerous or even life-threatening.
• Avoid eating foods high in tyramine, such as pickled foods and aged, cured, smoked, or fermented meats, while taking Xadago and for a couple of weeks after stopping, since this can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels.
• Xadago is not meant to be used by itself—it should only be used together with levodopa/carbidopa for Parkinson's disease.
• Do not stop taking Xadago suddenly, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms like high fever, confusion, muscle stiffness, and blood pressure changes. Your doctor will gradually lower your dose if you need to stop.
• It is not known if Xadago is safe to use during pregnancy. In animal studies, harmful effects on the fetus were seen when the drug was given to pregnant animals. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• It is not known if Xadago passes into breast milk or if it could affect a nursing baby. Talk to your doctor before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
• No routine dosage adjustment is required for renal impairment, including severe renal impairment, according to prescribing information.
• Xadago should not be used by people with severe liver disease. People with moderate liver disease should not take more than 50 mg per day.
• Drinking alcohol is not recommended while taking Xadago. Alcohol can interact with the medicine and cause a sudden, severe rise in blood pressure, and can also worsen side effects like sleepiness, falling, nausea, and unusual urges.
• Some people taking this medicine have suddenly fallen asleep during normal daytime activities such as working or driving. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat
• Xadago tablets should be stored at room temperature (68°F to 77°F, or 20°C to 25°C) in a tightly sealed container away from light
• Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms
• Keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you have vision changes, twitching or uncontrolled muscle movements, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, hallucinations, a seizure, fever with sweating and fast heart rate, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, or signs of a dangerous rise in blood pressure such as severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in the neck or ears, anxiety, or nosebleed.
• If you think you've taken too much Xadago, seek emergency medical attention or contact your local poison control center.
• Talk to your doctor if you notice increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medicine.

Alternatives

• Azilect
• Tolcapone
• Selegiline
• Rasagiline