Fingolimod

What is Fingolimod?

Fingolimod can be used by children and adults who are at least 10 years old for the treatment of the relapsing form of MS (including the syndrome that is clinically isolated as well as relapsing-remitting diseases or active, secondary-progressive disease).Fingolimod is also employed for other purposes that are not covered in this medication guide.

Side effects of Fingolimod

See a doctor immediately. Get medical attention immediately if you show symptoms that indicate an allergy, including hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue. Fingolimod could cause a brain injury, which could cause impairment or even death. Inform your doctor if you are experiencing difficulties with vision, speech, or muscle movement. The signs can become more severe quickly.

Fingolimod may alter the immune system (even two months after taking the medication). You could contract infections more frequently, and even severe and fatal ones.Consult a medical provider immediately if you experience:

• Symptoms of a new infection: fever, night sweats, swelling glands, and cold sores coughing, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss
• Difficulties swallowing or speaking, issues with balance or eye movement, weakness, or sensation
• Swelling in your throat or neck (enlarged thyroid) menstrual cycles impermanence, swelling in your neck or throat

Make sure to contact your doctor at any time if you suffer from:

• A new, darkened spot on your skin or a sore that will not heal, a mole that has changed in size or hue, a bump that appears like it's shiny, pearly, or pink;
• Problems with vision, such as increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision, shadows or blind spots in the middle of the vision, or an unusual hue in your eyes (which may be present for 3 to 4 months following the first time you take fingolimod);
• New or worsened breathing issues;
• Sores in your throat and mouth; cold sores; ulcers in your genital or anal region;
• New or worsening symptoms of ms within 12 weeks of the last dose you received;
• Rapid confusion, severe headache, weakness, vision loss or seizure - any combination thereof; is cause for alarm;
• Elevated blood pressure
• You feel lightheaded, like you're about to pass out.
• Heart-related problems: chest pain, irregular or slow heartbeats, feeling tired or dizzy;
• Liver issues (nausea, lack of appetite) nausea, abdominal discomfort (upper right side), fatigue, itching and dark urine, yellowish stool, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Common negative effects of fingolimod include:

• Back pain, headaches;
• Stomach pain, diarrhea;
• The pain in your arms and legs;
• Congestion, cough, flu symptoms, cough;
• Abnormal tests of liver function.

This list may not include all potential side effects; more may arise. Please consult a healthcare provider if any adverse reactions appear and report them immediately to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Similar or related drugs

Gilenya, Kesimpta, Betaseron, Aubagio, Copaxone, Tecfidera, and Avonex

Warnings

It is not recommended to apply fingolimod when you are taking certain medicines for heart rhythm or have had serious heart problems in the last six months. Serious heart conditions comprise certain heart rhythm problems, heart failure, chest pain, and a heart attack or stroke. Fingolimod can reduce the rate of your heart when you begin taking it. It is recommended to take your first dose in a location where your heart rate can be tracked. Inform your doctor if you are experiencing slow heartbeats, chest pains, shortness of breath, or feel that your heart beats are erratic.It is possible to contract infections more often, including severe or fatal infections. Call your doctor when you experience flu-like symptoms, including night sweats, coughs, neck stiffness or numbness, confusion, problems with vision or being more sensitive to light, and a loss of stability, coordination, or weakness on one side of your body. Your risk of getting sick may last up to 2 months after stopping using this medicine.There is a possibility that you may be more sensitive to light eye pain, blurred vision, or experience a blind spot or shadows that are in the center of your vision. You may also notice a different hue to your vision or any other eye problems when you're taking fingolimod, which can occur between 3 and 4 months after the first dose.

Before you take this drug

Fingolimod should not be used when you have an allergy to the ingredient or are suffering from

• Severe heart failure with a heart (that caused you to be admitted to an institution);
• A serious heart problem that is serious, such as "sick sinus syndrome" or "av block" (unless you are a patient with an implanted pacemaker);
• Long qt syndrome;
• Recent (within the last 6 months) heart attack or stroke, "mini-stroke" or tia, chest pain (unstable angina), or another heart problem that is serious

Certain medications for heart rhythm can create dangerous or unwanted adverse effects when combined with Fingolimod. Your doctor might alter your treatment plan if you are also taking amiodarone, disopyramide dofetilide, flecainide, dronedarone, mexiletine, ibutilide, procainamide, propafenone, quinidine, or sotalol.Before you start taking fingolimod, inform your doctor if you have never been a victim of chickenpox or have received a varicella vaccine (Varivax). It may be necessary to get the vaccine and wait for a month before you can take fingolimod.Check that you are current on all vaccinations prior to when you begin taking Fingolimod.Inform your physician if you have recently had a vaccination or are planning to be treated for a vaccination.

Contact your physician if you have ever suffered from:

• Fever, or an ongoing or chronic illness;
• A deficient immune system (caused through illness or the use of certain medications);
• A heart rhythm disorder
• Discomfort in the chest (angina) and other heart issues;
• A stroke or heart attack comprising "mini-stroke";
• High blood pressure;
• Fainting;
• Diabetes;
• Skin cancer;
• Sleep apnea or another breathing disorder;
• An eye condition known as uveitis
• Liver disease.

Fingolimod can harm an unborn baby. Do not take it if you are expecting it. Utilize effective birth control when taking fingolimod for at least two months after the last dose. Inform your doctor when you fall pregnant.If you're expecting, then your name might be included on the registry for pregnancy to monitor how fingolimod affects the infant.Check with your doctor to get advice on whether it is safe to breastfeed during treatment with Fingolimod.

How to take Fingolimod?

Be sure to abide by all instructions contained on your prescription label, medication guides or instruction sheets and study all instructions sheets related to it.Your doctor may alter your dosage. Follow the medication exactly as it is prescribed.Fingolimod can reduce your heart rate after you begin taking it. Your first dose is in an environment that is medical. Your heart rate and blood pressure are monitored constantly for at least 6 hours following your first dose of Fingolimod.You might require medical tests prior to and during the course of taking Fingolimod. This includes tests for blood as well as tests to assess your heart's function, vision tests, blood pressure, and liver function tests. skin examinations.Use fingolimod at least once a day, in combination with or without food. Take tablets that dissolve orally out of the pack using clean hands only once it is time to consume the medication. You should take this medicine right away when you open the pack. Let the tablet disintegrate inside your mouth without chewing.

If you decide to stop using this medication, take it off and do not begin on your own without consulting your physician. Your condition may worsen if the medication is stopped suddenly. Consult your physician before removing the medication.It is possible to contract infections more frequently, and even deadly or serious infections. Fingolimod should be stored in its original container at room temperature, away from heat and moisture. This medication may affect the results of certain tests. Inform any physician who treats patients that you take Fingolimod.

Details on dosage

Common Adult Dose to Treat Sclerosis: Multiple Sclerosis:
0.5 mg once orally every day
Comments:
This medication can be taken either with or without food.
Check out DOSE Adjustments for suggested screening and monitoring procedures for pre-dose.
Use: To treat relapsing or recurrent forms of MS.
Usual Dose for Pediatrics to Treat MS: Usual Pediatric Dose for Sclerosis:
People aged 10 or above and weighing less than 40kg:
0.25 mg once orally every day
10 years of age or older and weighing over 40 kilograms:
0.5 mg once orally every day
Comments:
This drug can be taken without or with food.
See DOSE Adjustments for suggested screening and monitoring procedures for pre-dose.
Use: To treat relapsing cases of MS (MS) in patients who are 10 years old or older.

What happens if I miss the dose?

Contact your physician for advice. If you missed the dose, it is possible that you will need to take your next dose in a healthcare setting.

What happens if I overdose?

For medical emergencies, seek emergency care immediately or call the Poison Help Line's toll-free number, 1-800-222-1222.

What should be avoided?

Fingolimod could increase your chance of getting skin cancer. Avoid sun exposure or tanning beds. Protect yourself with clothing designed for protection as well as sunblock with at least an SPF 30 rating while outdoors.Do not receive the "live" vaccine while taking fingolimod for a minimum of 2 months following the end of your treatment. The vaccine might not work effectively while you're taking Fingolimod. If you are given the "live" vaccine while taking fingolimod, it could result in an infection that is serious. These live vaccinations cover measles, rubella, mumps (MMR), and rotavirus. yellow fever, typhoid varicella (chickenpox), and shingles.

Interaction with other drug

There are times when it's not recommended to take certain medications simultaneously. Certain medications can alter your blood levels and the other drugs that you are taking, which can create side effects or render the medication less effective.Fingolimod could cause a serious heart condition. Your risk of developing heart problems is greater when you are also taking certain other drugs to treat asthma, infections, heart conditions, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, malaria, cancer, or HIV.Fingolimod may have long-lasting consequences for your body, particularly for your immunity. Two months after the last dose, inform your physician that you've taken Fingolimod.

Discuss with your doctor the medicines you are currently taking. A variety of drugs can interact with fingolimod, particularly:

• Medicines that can weaken your immune system, such as chemotherapy medicine, steroids, and other medicines that stop organ donation rejection,
• Ketoconazole;
• Heart medication.

This list isn't complete, and a variety of other medications could interfere with fingolimod. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and natural products. There are many possible interactions with drugs, which are included here.