Safinamide and Alcohol/Food Interactions

Using safinamide together with ethanol (alcohol) may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with safinamide. Do not use more than the recommended dose of safinamide, and avoid driving, operating machinery, or engaging in potentially hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

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Safinamide may be taken with or without food. While there is no need to strictly avoid most foods and beverages that contain tyramine (usually aged, fermented, cured, smoked, or pickled foods such as air-dried and fermented meats or fish, aged cheeses, most soybean products, yeast extracts, red wine, beer, and sauerkraut) during treatment with safinamide, certain foods such as some of the aged cheeses (for example, Boursault, Liederkrantz, Mycella, and Stilton) and pickled herring may contain very high amounts of tyramine and should generally be avoided if possible. Consumption of very high levels of tyramine (greater than 150 mg) while on safinamide treatment may lead to dangerous increases in your blood pressure, a condition known as hypertensive crisis. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are uncertain about what foods, if any, to avoid. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden and severe headache, blurred vision, confusion, seizures, chest pain, nausea or vomiting, sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), speech difficulties, fever, sweating, lightheadedness, and/or fainting during treatment with safinamide, as these may be signs and symptoms of a hypertensive crisis. Do not take larger doses or use the medication more frequently than prescribed. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

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safinamide - hypertension

Safinamide may cause hypertension or exacerbate existing hypertension. Patients should be monitored for new onset hypertension or hypertension that is not adequately controlled after starting treatment. Dosage adjustment may be necessary if elevation of blood pressure is sustained.