Question

Safinamide is a/an

• A. Antiparkinsonian drug
• B. Antipsychotic drug
• C. Antidepressant drug
• D. Antiepileptic drug

Hint:

Drugs are grouped by the main disease they treat. Knowing a drug's mechanism helps place it in the right class.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: What is Safinamide?
Safinamide is a relatively newer drug approved for treating Parkinson's disease. It is used as an add-on therapy with levodopa/carbidopa.

Step 2: Mechanism of action.
Safinamide works by dual action. First, it selectively and reversibly inhibits monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), which slows dopamine breakdown. Second, it blocks sodium channels and inhibits glutamate release, reducing dyskinesia.

Step 3: Why not antipsychotic?
Antipsychotics (like haloperidol, risperidone) block dopamine D₂ receptors. Safinamide actually increases dopamine, so it cannot be antipsychotic.

Step 4: Why not antidepressant?
Most antidepressants act on serotonin or norepinephrine systems. While MAO inhibitors can be antidepressants, Safinamide is selective for MAO-B at therapeutic doses and is approved specifically for Parkinson's.

Step 5: Why not antiepileptic?
Although Safinamide has sodium channel blocking activity (similar to some antiepileptics), it has not been approved or classified as an antiepileptic drug.

Step 6: Conclusion.
Safinamide is classified as an antiparkinsonian drug used as adjunct therapy in Parkinson's disease.
Answer: Option (1) — Antiparkinsonian drug