Equfina

Safinamide.

Composition: (See Table 1.)


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Product Description: (See Table 2.)


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PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES: Nonproprietary name: Safinamide Mesylate.
Chemical name: (S)-2-[({4-[ (3-Fluorophenyl)methoxy]phenyl}methyl)amino]propanamide monomethanesulfonate.
Molecular formula: C₁₇H₁₉FN₂O₂ • CH₄O₃S.
Molecular weight: 398.45.
Description: White crystalline powder.
Melting point: Approximately 216 to 217°C.
Partition coefficient (log P): 2.4 (1-octanol/water).
Solubility: Freely soluble in water, methanol, and dimethyl sulfoxide. Very slightly soluble in acetone. Sparingly soluble in ethanol.

Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Mechanism of action: Safinamide has a selective and reversible MAO-B inhibitory effect and increases brain concentrations of intrinsic dopamine and dopamine of levodopa origin. This MAO-B inhibition is considered as the main mechanism of action of safinamide. Safinamide also has a nondopaminergic effect (glutamate release suppressive effect via a voltage-gated sodium channel inhibitory effect).
Pharmacological effect: MAO-B inhibition: For inhibitory effect of safinamide on MAO-B, IC₅₀ was 79 nM in the human brain and 98 nM in the rat brain, showing that MAO-B inhibition was approximately 1000-fold more potent in the human brain and approximately 6000-fold more potent in the rat brain than MAO-A inhibition (in vitro). MAO-B inhibition of safinamide was reversible (in vitro, in vivo).
Voltage-gated sodium channel inhibition: Safinamide inhibited a voltage-gated sodium channel in an activity-dependent manner. In human Nav subtypes (Nav 1.1 - 1.8), IC₅₀ was 13 - 82 μM under rest conditions and 1.6 - 4.9 μM in the inactivated state (in vitro). In a microdialysis study in the rat hippocampus, safinamide significantly suppressed glutamate release induced by sodium channel agonists (in vivo).
Effect in Parkinson's disease model: Although coadministration of levodopa and benserazide to rats with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is associated with rotary motion, multiple dosing of levodopa and benserazide reduces rotary motion (wearing-off phenomenon). Safinamide significantly reversed this reduction in rotary motion.
In a cynomolgus monkey model of Parkinson's disease induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), treatment with safinamide prolonged the duration of the therapeutic effect of levodopa on Parkinson's disease.
Clinical Studies: Clinical Studies for Efficacy and Safety: Japanese phase 2/3 study: In a randomized, double-blind study in Japanese patients with Parkinson's disease with wearing-off phenomenon under treatment with levodopa-containing products, there was a statistically significant increase in the change in mean daily "on" time from the baseline to the last evaluation point in the safinamide 50 mg and 100 mg groups compared with the placebo group (P=0.0002 and P<0.0001, respectively). (See Table 3.)


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The incidence of adverse reactions was 31.6% (42/133 subjects) in the 50 mg group and 30.3% (40/132 subjects) in the 100 mg group. Major adverse reactions were dyskinesia 8.3% (11/133 subjects), visual hallucinations 3.0% (4/133 subjects), headache 2.3% (3/133 subjects), somnolence 2.3% (3/133 subjects), and nausea 2.3% (3/133 subjects) in the 50 mg group, and dyskinesia 10.6% (14/132 subjects), visual hallucinations 4.5% (6/132 subjects), somnolence 2.3% (3/132 subjects), nausea 2.3% (3/132 subjects), decreased weight 2.3% (3/132 subjects), and decreased appetite 2.3% (3/132 subjects) in the 100 mg group.
Japanese phase 3 study: In an open-label, long-term study in Japanese patients with Parkinson's disease with wearing-off phenomenon under treatment with levodopa-containing products, the change in mean daily "on" time from the baseline with safinamide 50 to 100 mg/day (mean ± SD) was 1.05±1.74 hours (n=193) at Week 4 and 1.42±2.72 hours (n=142) at Week 52, showing a persistent effect after long-term treatment.
The incidence of adverse reactions was 38.9% (79/203 subjects). Major adverse reactions were dyskinesia 16.3% (33/203 subjects), fall 3.4% (7/203 subjects), constipation 3.0% (6/203 subjects), visual hallucinations 2.5% (5/203 subjects), insomnia 2.5% (5/203 subjects), and nausea 2.5% (5/203 subjects).
Others: Effect on QT interval: When safinamide 100 and 350 mg was administered to healthy adult subjects once daily for 6 days, the QTc interval reached a minimum 1 hour after administration, with a difference from the placebo group of -5.4 and -15.5 msec, respectively. This effect was correlated with plasma concentrations of safinamide (non-Japanese data).
Note: The approved daily dose of this drug is generally 50 mg and the maximum is 100 mg.
Pharmacokinetics: Blood Level: Single dose: When Japanese healthy adult subjects received single oral doses of safinamide 50, 100, and 200 mg under fasted condition, plasma concentrations of safinamide over time and plasma pharmacokinetic parameters of safinamide were as follows. (See figure and Table 4.)


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Multiple dose: When Japanese healthy adult subjects received multiple oral doses of safinamide 50, 100, and 200 mg once daily for 7 days under fed condition (under fasted condition on Day 7 only), plasma pharmacokinetic parameters of safinamide after the last dose were as follows. C_max and AUC after multiple doses of safinamide increased dose-proportionally. The accumulation ratio for C_max and AUC_0-24 (Day 7/Day 1) ranged 1.9 to 2.0, and no accumulation occurred at any doses, and the steady state was reached by Day 6 of treatment. (See Table 5.)


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Absorption: After single and multiple oral administrations to Japanese healthy adult subjects under fasted condition, safinamide was rapidly absorbed with a t_max of 1.0 to 3.5 hours (see Blood Level in the previous text). In addition, when healthy adult subjects received a single oral dose of safinamide 50 mg, the bioavailability was 95% (non-Japanese data).
A comparison of plasma pharmacokinetic parameters (C_max, t_max, t_½, and AUC_0-t) in Japanese healthy adult subjects (n=8) who received a single oral dose of safinamide 50 mg under fasted and fed conditions showed no food effect.
Distribution: When healthy adult subjects received a single intravenous dose of safinamide 50 mg, the distribution volume was 165 L (non-Japanese data). The plasma protein binding in humans was 89% (in vitro).
Metabolism: The main elimination pathway of safinamide is metabolism. It was suggested that safinamide is metabolized by nonspecific cytoplasm amidase and CYP3A4, and MAO-A and aldehyde dehydrogenase are involved in the metabolism of intermediate products. It was estimated that the contribution of nonmicrosomal enzymes (cytoplasm amidase/MAO-A) might be greater than that of CYP3A4 to safinamide metabolic capacity (in vitro, non-Japanese data) (see Drug-Drug Interaction in the following text).
Excretion: When healthy adult subjects received a single oral dose of ¹⁴C-safinamide 400 mg, 78% of total radioactivity was excreted (76% in urine and 1.5% in feces). A trace of unchanged safinamide was excreted in urine within 48 hours after administration, indicating that most of the administered safinamide is metabolized (non-Japanese data).
When Japanese healthy adult subjects received single oral doses of safinamide 50, 100, and 200 mg, 4.5% to 4.9% was excreted unchanged in urine by 96 hours after administration, and the cumulative urinary excretion rate of metabolites up to 96 hours after administration was 31.5% to 34.3% for propionate metabolite, 0.22% to 0.25% for benzoate metabolite, and 28.4% to 32.8% for glucuronate conjugate.
Note: The approved daily dose of this drug is generally 50 mg and the maximum is 100 mg.
Patients with Specific Backgrounds: Patients with Renal Impairment: When subjects with moderate renal impairment (eGFR 30 to 59 mL/min) and subjects with severe renal impairment (eGFR of less than 30 mL/min and not requiring hemodialysis) received a single oral dose of safinamide 50 mg, plasma pharmacokinetic parameters were similar to those of subjects with normal renal function (eGFR of more than 90 mL/min) (non-Japanese data).
Patients with Hepatic Impairment: When subjects with mild and moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A and B) received a single oral dose of safinamide 50 mg, AUC_0-∞ was increased by 32% and 82%, respectively, compared with subjects with normal hepatic function (non-Japanese data) (see Precautions Concerning Dosage And Administration under Dosage & Administration and Precautions Concerning Patients With Specific Backgrounds under Precautions).
Drug-Drug Interaction: Ketoconazole: When healthy adult subjects (n=14) received a multiple dose of ketoconazole (CYP3A4 inhibitor) 200 mg twice daily for 6 days and a single dose of safinamide 100 mg, C_max and AUC_0-∞ were increased by 6.6% and 12.9%, respectively, compared with safinamide alone (non-Japanese data).
Midazolam: When healthy adult subjects (n=16) received a multiple dose of safinamide 100 mg once daily for 14 days and a single dose of midazolam (CYP3A4 substrate) 7.5 mg, C_max and AUC_0-t were decreased by 2% and 20%, respectively, compared with midazolam alone (non-Japanese data).
Caffeine: When healthy adult subjects (n=16) received a multiple dose of safinamide 100 mg once daily for 14 days and a single dose of caffeine (CYP1A2 substrate) 200 mg, C_max and AUC_0-t were increased by 7% and 13%, respectively, compared with caffeine alone (non-Japanese data).
Rosuvastatin: When healthy adult subjects (n=24) received a multiple dose of safinamide 100 mg once daily for 11 days and a single dose of rosuvastatin calcium (BCRP substrate) 20 mg, C_max and AUC_0-t were increased by 29% and 21%, respectively, compared with rosuvastatin calcium alone (non-Japanese data).
Levodopa/Carbidopa: When patients with Parkinson's disease (n=24) received multiple dose of safinamide 100 mg once daily for 6 days in combination with levodopa/carbidopa, C_max and AUC_0-6 of levodopa were decreased by 0.6% and 7.2%, respectively, compared with levodopa/carbidopa alone (non-Japanese data).
Induction of CYP: In an enzyme induction study using human hepatocytes, safinamide at concentrations of ≥1 μM led to a ≥2-fold increase in CYP2B6 mRNA expression compared with a control, suggesting possible induction of CYP2B6 by safinamide (in vitro).

Equfina is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) for improvement of wearing-off phenomenon as add-on therapy to a stable dose of levodopa (L-dopa) alone or in combination with other PD medicinal products in late-stage PD.
Precautions Concerning Indications: This drug should be used in patients with wearing-off phenomenon despite adjustment of the dose or frequency of levodopa-containing products.

This drug is used in combination with levodopa-containing products. The usual adult dosage for oral use is 50 mg of safinamide once daily. The dosage for oral use may be administered at 100 mg once daily according to the patient’s condition.
Precautions concerning dosage and administration: 1. Coadministration with levodopa-containing products may cause adverse reactions of levodopa origin (dyskinesia, etc.). Therefore, patients should be closely monitored when the dosing of this drug is started or the dose of this drug is increased, and if such adverse reactions occur, the dose of this drug or levodopa-containing products should be adjusted.
2. The dose of Equfina should not exceed 50 mg daily for patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B) (see Patients with Hepatic Impairment under Precautions and Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions).

This drug is contraindicated to the following patients: 1. Patients using other MAO inhibitors (eg, selegiline hydrochloride, rasagiline mesilate) (see Interactions).
2. Patients using pethidine hydrochloride-containing products, tramadol hydrochloride-containing products, or tapentadol hydrochloride (see Interactions).
3. Patients using tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline hydrochloride, amoxapine, imipramine hydrochloride, clomipramine hydrochloride, dosulepin hydrochloride, trimipramine maleate, nortriptyline hydrochloride, lofepramine hydrochloride), tetracyclic antidepressants (eg, maprotiline hydrochloride, mianserin hydrochloride, setiptiline maleate), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (eg, fluvoxamine maleate, paroxetine hydrochloride hydrate, sertraline hydrochloride, escitalopram oxalate), serotonin–noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (eg, milnacipran hydrochloride, duloxetine hydrochloride, venlafaxine hydrochloride), selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (atomoxetine hydrochloride), noradrenergic and serotonergic antidepressant (mirtazapine), or central nervous system stimulants (eg, methylphenidate hydrochloride, lisdexamfetamine mesilate) (see Interactions).
4. Patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) (see Patients with Hepatic Impairment under Precautions).
5. Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of this drug.
6. Pregnant women or women suspected of being pregnant (see Use in Pregnancy under Precautions).

Important Precautions: This drug may induce daytime somnolence or sudden onset of sleep with no signs. Therefore, patients should be cautioned against engaging in dangerous activities such as driving a car, operating machinery, or working at heights under administration of this drug (see Adverse Reactions).
Equfina may induce impulse-control disorder such as pathological gambling (persistent repetition of gambling despite socially adverse consequences including disruption of personal life), pathological hypersexuality, compulsive shopping, and hyperphagia. Therefore, if any of such symptoms is observed, appropriate measures including discontinuation of treatment should be taken. In addition, patients and their family members should be informed of these symptoms of impulse-control disorder (see Adverse Reactions).
Equfina may induce orthostatic hypotension or hypotension. Therefore, if dizziness, lightheadedness, wobble, or any other symptoms which are suspected orthostatic hypotension or hypotension are observed, appropriate measures including discontinuation of treatment should be taken. Patients with Parkinson's disease are at an increased risk of falls associated with motor dysfunction and, if orthostatic hypotension occurs, they may experience fracture and/or trauma due to a fall (see Adverse Reactions).
Precautions Concerning Patients With Specific Backgrounds: Patients with Complication or History of Diseases, etc.: Patients with active or a history of retina-related disease: Patients with retinal degeneration, uveitis, hereditary retinopathy, or severe progressive diabetic retinopathy, patients with a history of eye disorders that are highly likely to affect the retina (eg, retinitis pigmentosa, any form of active retinopathy, family history of hereditary retinal disease), and patients with albinism should be regularly monitored for any change in acuity- and field-related symptoms. Such patients were excluded from clinical studies. In animals, a repeated-dose oral toxicity study (rats) and carcinogenicity studies (mice and rats) demonstrated dose- and duration-dependent retinal degeneration and exacerbation due to light exposure in rats. This change was not observed in monkeys.
Precautions Concerning Use: Precautions Concerning the Dispensing of the Drug: For drugs that are dispensed in a press-through package (PTP), instruct patients to remove the drug from the package before use. If the PTP sheet is swallowed, the sharp corners of the sheet may puncture the esophageal mucosa and cause a perforation, resulting in severe complications including mediastinitis.
Patients with Hepatic Impairment: 1. Patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C): Equfina should not be administered. Blood concentration of this drug may increase. Such patients were excluded from clinical studies (see Contraindications).
2. Patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B): Blood concentration of this drug may increase (see Dosage & Administration and Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions).
Patients with Reproductive Potential: Women of childbearing potential should be instructed to use appropriate contraception during treatment with this drug and for a certain period of time after completion of treatment with this drug. In animals (rats), a reproductive and developmental toxicity study showed mild decreases in the corpora lutea count and the number of implantation sites in female rats.
Use in Pregnancy: Equfina should not be used in pregnant women or women who may possibly be pregnant (see Contraindications).
In animal studies, administration of this drug during an organogenetic period in pregnant rats induced ectopic testis, urologic changes (ureteric dilatation and renal pelvis dilatation), and skeletal abnormality in fetuses. In addition, coadministration with levodopa/carbidopa resulted in an increase in the incidence of skeletal malformation (bowing of scapula and shortening/bowing/thickening of long bones). In rabbits, coadministration with levodopa/carbidopa resulted in an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular malformation (ventricular septal defect and dilation of 1 blood vessel leading directly to the heart), which was observed with levodopa/carbidopa alone, as well as an increase in the rate of embryonic or fetal death. A study in which mothers (rats) were administered this drug pre- and post-natally showed an increased mortality and changes associated with hepatobiliary disorder (yellow/orange discoloration of the skin and skull bone) in offspring.
Use in Lactation: Breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment with this drug.
In animals (rats), administration of safinamide to breastfeeding mothers was associated with vacuoles in the hepatocyte and reduced glycogen in breastfed offspring. In addition, safinamide was detected in the plasma of breastfed offspring, suggesting excretion of safinamide in milk.
Use in Children: There was no clinical study conducted in children.

Patients with Reproductive Potential: Women of childbearing potential should be instructed to use appropriate contraception during treatment with this drug and for a certain period of time after completion of treatment with this drug. In animals (rats), a reproductive and developmental toxicity study showed mild decreases in the corpora lutea count and the number of implantation sites in female rats.
Pregnant Women: Equfina should not be used in pregnant women or women who may possibly be pregnant (see Contraindications).
In animal studies, administration of this drug during an organogenetic period in pregnant rats induced ectopic testis, urologic changes (ureteric dilatation and renal pelvis dilatation), and skeletal abnormality in fetuses. In addition, coadministration with levodopa/carbidopa resulted in an increase in the incidence of skeletal malformation (bowing of scapula and shortening/bowing/thickening of long bones). In rabbits, coadministration with levodopa/carbidopa resulted in an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular malformation (ventricular septal defect and dilation of 1 blood vessel leading directly to the heart), which was observed with levodopa/carbidopa alone, as well as an increase in the rate of embryonic or fetal death. A study in which mothers (rats) were administered this drug pre- and post-natally showed an increased mortality and changes associated with hepatobiliary disorder (yellow/orange discoloration of the skin and skull bone) in offspring.
Breast-feeding Women: Breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment with this drug.
In animals (rats), administration of safinamide to breastfeeding mothers was associated with vacuoles in the hepatocyte and reduced glycogen in breastfed offspring. In addition, safinamide was detected in the plasma of breastfed offspring, suggesting excretion of safinamide in milk.

The following adverse reactions may occur. Therefore, patients should be closely monitored, and if any abnormal findings are observed, appropriate measures including discontinuation of this drug should be taken.
Clinically Significant Adverse Reactions: Psychiatric symptoms such as hallucination: Visual hallucinations (3.2%), hallucination (1.1%), or other symptoms may occur.
Somnolence (1.9%), sudden onset of sleep (0.4%): Daytime somnolence or sudden onset of sleep with no signs may occur (see Precautions).
Impulse-control disorder (0.2%): Impulse-control disorder including pathological gambling, pathological hypersexuality, compulsive shopping, or hyperphagia may occur (see Precautions).
Serotonin syndrome (frequency unknown): If any of symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as anxiety, restlessness, excitement, confusion, fever, myoclonus, sweating, and tachycardia, is observed, treatment with this drug should be discontinued, systemic management such as cooling and fluid replacement should be initiated, and appropriate measures should be taken.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (frequency unknown): Rapid dose reduction or discontinuation of this drug may cause high fever, consciousness disorder, severe muscle rigidity, involuntary movement, increased serum CK, or other related symptoms. If any of these symptoms is observed, systemic management such as cooling and fluid replacement should be initiated, and appropriate measures should be taken.
Other Adverse Reactions: See Table 6.


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Contraindications for Co-administration (Do not co-administered with the following): See Table 7.


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Precautions for Co-administration (This drug should be administered with caution when co-administered with the following): See Table 8.


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Precautions for Handling: Equfina should be stored away from moisture after opening of the aluminum pillow or bottle.

Do not store above 30°C.

Antiparkinsonian Drugs

N04BD03 - safinamide ; Belongs to the class of dopaminergic agents, monoamine oxidase B inhibitors. Used in the management of Parkinson's disease.

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