Industry Brief

FDA Approves Add-On Medication for Parkinson’s Disease

The Food and Drug Administration in March announced it had approved Xadago (safinamide) tablets as an add-on treatment for patients with Parkinson’s disease who continue to experience Parkinson’s symptoms while taking levodopa/carbidopa.

The decision was based in part on the results of two separate trials involving more than 1,000 patients taking levodopa. Both studies found that patients taking Xadago in addition to levodopa experienced fewer Parkinson’s symptoms and improvements in motor function compared with those taking levodopa only.

 According to an FDA release, patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) should avoid Xadago because it may cause a sudden severe increase in blood pressure. The medication is also not recommended for patients taking opioids and some antidepressants, as it may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Xadago is manufactured by Newron Pharmaceuticals. ■