Drug Interaction Report

Using gepirone together with safinamide is not recommended as it can significantly increase the risk of a potentially life-threatening problem called serotonin syndrome. Immediate medical attention is required if you experience any of the following as they may be signs or symptoms of this medical condition: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; agitation; confusion; fast heartbeat; sweating; flushing; seizures; hallucinations; coma; blood pressure changes; shaking, stiff muscles, or muscle twitching; dizziness; high body temperature; and/or loss of coordination. In general, it is advisable to wait at least 14 days after you stop using safinamide or similar medications before you start using gepirone or vice versa. 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.

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.

Food helps with the absorption of gepirone into the blood stream. You should take this medication with food at about the same time every day. You should not consume grapefruit or grapefruit products while taking this medication as they can increase the blood levels of gepirone in your body, putting you at a higher risk of serious side effects like serotonin syndrome or a change in the electrical activity of your heart called QT prolongation. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms of these potentially life-threatening side effects: irregular or fast heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, agitation, confusion, sweating, flushing, changes in blood pressure, seizures, hallucinations, or a loss of coordination. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions on how to take this or other medications you are 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.