Safinamide improves the treatment outcomes of patients with Parkinson’s disease

This study investigated the effects of safinamide (Xadago) in the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Researchers suggested that this drug improved the treatment outcomes of these patients.

PD is the second most common brain disorder in the elderly population. The abilities controlled by the brain cells are lost. This causes symptoms such as muscle weakness and tremors. Several non-physical symptoms might appear after the physical symptoms such as sleep disorders. These symptoms have a negative impact on the quality of life of PD patients.

Despite being associated with long-term negative effects, levodopa remains the standard treatment for PD. Nearly 40% of PD patients being treated with long-term levodopa develop wearing-off symptoms. This consists of PD symptoms coming back before the next dose of levodopa, sometimes worst.

Prior studies showed that safinamide reduces off-time, increases on-time and improves non-physical symptoms. However, the effects of safinamide added to the levodopa treatment remain unclear.

This study included information about 352 patients with PD. These patients received safinamide in combination with levodopa or other PD therapies. The effects of safinamide on PD symptoms and on quality of life were measured.

Safinamide combined with levodopa improved movement and wearing-off symptoms. It also improved the quality of life and daily activities of these patients. 

This study concluded that safinamide improves the symptoms of PD patients being treated with levodopa.

This study included selected patients. They might not represent the general population with PD. Further studies are needed.