Drug Interactions between Dyanavel XR and safinamide

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate the cardiovascular effects of amphetamines. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown. In one study, concurrent administration of methamphetamine (30 mg intravenously) and ethanol (1 gm/kg orally over 30 minutes) increased heart rate by 24 beats/minute compared to methamphetamine alone. This increases cardiac work and myocardial oxygen consumption, which may lead to more adverse cardiovascular effects than either agent alone. Subjective effects of ethanol were diminished in the eight study subjects, but those of methamphetamine were not affected. The pharmacokinetics of methamphetamine were also unaffected except for a decrease in the apparent volume of distribution at steady state. The interaction was suspected in a case report of a 20-year-old male who experienced retrosternal chest pain shortly after drinking alcohol and taking a double dose of his amphetamine/dextroamphetamine medication (Adderall 15 mg X 2) to stay alert. The patient had no family history of cardiovascular diseases, and his past medical history was remarkable only for ADHD. Prior to the episode, the patient had not taken his medication for weeks and had been drinking whiskey the previous three nights before going to bed. The patient was diagnosed with myocardial infarction likely secondary to amphetamine-induced coronary vasospasm.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of amphetamines and alcohol should be avoided if possible, especially in patients with a history of heart disease.

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GENERALLY AVOID: Foods that contain large amounts of tyramine may precipitate a hypertensive crisis in patients treated with safinamide. The proposed mechanism involves potentiation of the tyramine pressor effect due to inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) by safinamide. Monoamine oxidase in the gastrointestinal tract and liver, primarily type A (MAO-A), is the enzyme responsible for metabolizing exogenous amines such as tyramine and preventing them from being absorbed intact. Once absorbed, tyramine is metabolized to octopamine, a substance that is believed to displace norepinephrine from storage granules causing a rise in blood pressure. In vitro, safinamide inhibits MAO-B with greater than 1000-fold selectivity over MAO-A, and neither safinamide nor its major metabolites inhibit MAO-A at clinically relevant concentrations. Results from an oral tyramine challenge study also suggest that safinamide is a selective inhibitor of MAO-B at the recommended dosages of 50 or 100 mg/day. However, this selectivity is not absolute and may diminish in a dose-related manner above the maximum recommended daily dosage. In clinical trials, the incidence of hypertension was 7% and 5% for safinamide 50 mg and 100 mg, respectively, versus 4% for placebo. There were no reported cases of hypertensive crisis.

Administration of safinamide following intake of a high-fat, high-caloric breakfast resulted in a slight delay in the absorption of safinamide, but had no effects on safinamide peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) compared to administration under fasted conditions.

MANAGEMENT: Dietary restriction is not ordinarily required during safinamide treatment with respect to most foods and beverages that contain tyramine, which usually include aged, fermented, cured, smoked, or pickled foods (e.g., air-dried and fermented meats or fish, aged cheeses, most soybean products, yeast extracts, red wine, beer, sauerkraut). However, certain foods like some of the aged cheeses (e.g., Boursault, Liederkrantz, Mycella, Stilton) and pickled herring may contain very high amounts of tyramine and could potentially cause a hypertensive reaction in patients taking safinamide, even at recommended dosages, due to increased sensitivity to tyramine. Patients should be advised to avoid the intake of very high levels of tyramine (e.g., greater than 150 mg) and to promptly seek medical attention if they experience potential signs and symptoms of a hypertensive crisis such as severe headache, visual disturbances, confusion, stupor, seizures, chest pain, unexplained nausea or vomiting, and stroke-like symptoms. Blood pressure should be regularly monitored and managed accordingly. Medication adjustment may be necessary if blood pressure elevations are sustained or not adequately controlled. Safinamide should not be used at dosages exceeding 100 mg/day, or 50 mg/day in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B, 7-9), as it may increase the risk of hypertensive crisis and other adverse reactions associated with nonselective inhibition of MAO. Safinamide can be administered with or without food.

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