Xadago (safinamide) is a prescription drug that’s used to help treat Parkinson’s disease. Xadago can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include nausea and trouble sleeping.

Specifically, Xadago is prescribed along with levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet, others) to help treat Parkinson’s disease. It’s used in adults who have “off” periods during treatment with levodopa/carbidopa. In “off” periods, the effect of levodopa/carbidopa wears off between doses, and symptoms increase.

The active ingredient in Xadago is safinamide. The drug comes as an oral tablet.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Xadago can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Xadago has been studied only with levodopa/carbidopa. It’s not known what side effects Xadago may have if taken alone. Xadago is approved for use only with levodopa/carbidopa.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Xadago treatment. Examples of the drug’s more commonly reported side effects include:

  • nausea
  • trouble sleeping
  • dyskinesia (muscle movements that you can’t control)
  • falls

The following sections include more side effects of Xadago. Each person’s experience with side effects may differ.

Mild side effects have been reported with Xadago. These include:

  • nausea
  • trouble sleeping
  • cough
  • anxiety
  • indigestion

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be managed easily. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Xadago unless your doctor recommends it.

Xadago may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects have been reported with Xadago. These include:

Learn more about suddenly falling asleep and intense urges in the “Side effects explained” section below.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Xadago, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911. Or call your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Xadago, visit MedWatch.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Xadago can cause an allergic reaction. In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Xadago.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 right away. Or call your local emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

Your doctor can confirm whether you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Xadago. If they do, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Xadago’s side effects.

How do side effects of Xadago compare with those of Azilect?

Xadago and Azilect (rasagiline) are treatments for Parkinson’s disease. They belong to the same group of drugs and can cause some similar and different side effects.

Azilect and Xadago both cause the mild side effects of indigestion, nausea, and insomnia.

Azilect is also reported to cause the following mild side effects that Xadago is not reported to cause:

  • joint pain
  • weight loss
  • constipation

Both drugs cause similar serious side effects.

To learn more about how Xadago and Azilect compare, talk with your doctor.

Does Xadago cause long-term side effects?

It’s unlikely that Xadago causes long-term side effects. These were not reported in studies of Xadago.

If you’re concerned about possible long-term side effects from Xadago, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects Xadago may cause.

Suddenly falling asleep

Xadago can cause some people to suddenly fall asleep during daily activities. For example, they might suddenly fall asleep while eating, talking, or driving. It’s not known how often this side effect was reported in studies of Xadago.

In some people, suddenly falling asleep happens without any warning signs, such as sleepiness. Other people may feel sleepy before suddenly falling asleep. Sleepiness and suddenly falling asleep without warning during certain activities can lead to accidents.

Some factors can increase the risk of suddenly falling asleep when taking Xadago. These include sleep problems that cause daytime sleepiness, such as insomnia or narcolepsy. Other factors include drinking alcohol and taking medications that cause sleepiness along with Xadago.

Taking certain other medications for Parkinson’s disease along with Xadago also can raise your risk of this side effect.

What might help

Before taking Xadago, talk with your doctor if you have a sleep problem or take medications that make you sleepy. Your doctor can determine whether Xadago is right for you.

While taking Xadago, talk with your doctor before taking medications that can cause sleepiness. These include certain pain relievers and allergy medications.

If you have episodes of suddenly falling asleep while taking Xadago, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend that you stop the drug. Or they may reduce your dosage of Xadago or other medications you take for Parkinson’s disease.

If you continue taking Xadago, you should avoid activities that could be dangerous if you suddenly fall asleep. Examples include driving, operating machines, or working at heights.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the risk of suddenly falling asleep while taking Xadago.

Intense urges

Xadago can cause some people to have intense urges that are difficult to manage. It’s not known how often this side effect was reported in studies of Xadago.

Some examples of this side effect while taking Xadago include urges to:

  • gamble
  • spend money
  • have sex
  • binge-eat

Taking certain other medications for Parkinson’s disease along with Xadago can raise your risk of this side effect.

What might help

If you have intense urges while taking Xadago, talk with your doctor. They may reduce your dosage of Xadago or other medications you take for Parkinson’s disease. Or they may recommend stopping Xadago.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the risk of intense urges while taking Xadago.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Xadago treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start a new drug or combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Xadago affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Xadago.

Warnings

Xadago can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Xadago is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Xadago. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.