Precautions

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to allow for changes in your dose and to check for any unwanted effects.

Do not take safinamide if you are also using amphetamine, cyclobenzaprine, dextromethorphan (eg, Pediacare®, Robitussin®), methylphenidate (Ritalin®), St. John's wort, other MAO inhibitors (MAOI) (eg, isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine, Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®), narcotic pain medicines (eg, meperidine, methadone, propoxyphene, tramadol, Darvon®, Dolophine®, Ultram®), or medicine to treat depression (eg, amitriptyline, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, milnacipran, nortriptyline, venlafaxine, Cymbalta®, Effexor® XR, Elavil®, Pamelor®, Pristiq®). Using these medicines together may cause serious unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor right away if you have anxiety, restlessness, a fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or see or hear things that are not there. These may be symptoms of a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Your risk may be higher if you also take certain other medicines that affect serotonin levels in your body.

This medicine may make you drowsy. It may even cause you to fall asleep without warning while you drive, talk, or eat. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Some people who have used this medicine had unusual changes in their behavior. Talk with your doctor if you start having problems with gambling or increased interest in sex while using this medicine.

Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely.

Avoid foods and drinks that are high in tyramine, because your blood pressure could get dangerously high. Your doctor should give you a complete list. In general, do not eat anything aged, fermented, or smoked, such as most cheese, most alcohol, cured meat (such as salami), pickled foods, sauerkraut, and soy sauce. Check the expiration dates on packages. Tyramine levels get higher as food gets older or if it has not been refrigerated properly.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, since they may increase your blood pressure.