Objective: To evaluate the safety of safinamide in Parkinson´s Disease (PD) and determine consequences of direct switch from rasagiline.

Background: A wash-out period is recommended in order to avoid a serotonin syndrome and hypertensive crisis when a switch from rasagiline to safinamide is indicated. This indication may lead to a worsening; therefore, a direct substitution is performed in clinical practice.

Method: Real-life evaluation of safinamide use in Parkinson Disease patients. Retrospective study to investigate safety and consequences of overnight switching from rasagiline to safinamide.

Results: We analyzed data from 200 consecutive patients (mean age 71.4 years). Treatment persistence is 68% after a mean follow-up of 40.6 months. Hallucinations and dizziness were the most frequent adverse events. A direct switch (performed in 22%) was not associated with an increased rate of adverse events. More than half (54%) had been previously exposed to Rasagiline.

Conclusion: It is safe to switch directly from rasagiline to safinamide. Long-term clinical benefit was confirmed in clinical practice. It is safe to use safinamide in an elderly population.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/safinamide-in-parkinsons-disease-a-retrospective-study/