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The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 50805/0012.
Fingolimod 0.5 mg hard capsules
Fingolimod 0.5 mg hard capsules
Fingolimod
1. What Fingolimod is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Fingolimod
3. How to take Fingolimod
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Fingolimod
6. Contents of the pack and other information
This medicine contains the active substance fingolimod.
Fingolimod is used in adults and in children and adolescents (10 years of age and above) to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), more specifically in:
or
Fingolimod does not cure MS, but it helps to reduce the number of relapses and to slow down the progression of physical disabilities due to MS.
MS is a long-term condition that affects the central nervous system (CNS), comprised of the brain and spinal cord. In MS inflammation destroys the protective sheath (called myelin) around the nerves in the CNS and stops the nerves from working properly. This is called demyelination.
Relapsing-remitting MS is characterised by repeated attacks (relapses) of nervous system symptoms that reflect inflammation within the CNS. Symptoms vary from patient to patient but typically involve walking difficulties, numbness, vision problems or disturbed balance. Symptoms of a relapse may disappear completely when the relapse is over, but some problems may remain.
Fingolimod helps to protect against attacks on the CNS by the immune system by reducing the ability of some white blood cells (lymphocytes) to move freely within the body and by stopping them from reaching the brain and spinal cord. This limits nerve damage caused by MS. Fingolimod also reduces some of the immune reactions of your body.
If this applies to you or you are unsure, talk to your doctor before taking Fingolimod.
Talk to your doctor before taking Fingolimod:
If any of these applies to you or you are unsure, talk to your doctor before taking Fingolimod.
Slow heart rate (bradycardia) and irregular heartbeat
At the beginning of treatment or after taking the first dose of 0.5 mg when you switch from a 0.25 mg daily dose, Fingolimod causes the heart rate to slow down. As a result, you may feel dizzy or tired, or be consciously aware of your heartbeat, or your blood pressure may drop. If these effects are severe, tell your doctor, because you may need treatment right away. Fingolimod can also cause an irregular heartbeat, especially after the first dose. Irregular heartbeat usually returns to normal in less than one day. Slow heart rate usually returns to normal within one month. During this period, no clinically significant heart rate effects are usually expected.
Your doctor will ask you to stay at the surgery or clinic for at least 6 hours, with hourly pulse and blood pressure measurements, after taking the first dose of Fingolimod or after taking the first dose of 0.5 mg when you switch from a 0.25 mg daily dose, so that appropriate measures can be taken in the event of side effects that occur at the start of treatment. You should have an electrocardiogram performed prior to the first dose of Fingolimod and after the 6-hour monitoring period. Your doctor may monitor your electrocardiogram continuously during that time. If after the 6-hour period you have a very slow or decreasing heart rate, or if your electrocardiogram shows abnormalities, you may need to be monitored for a longer period (at least 2 more hours and possibly overnight) until these have resolved. The same may apply if you are resuming Fingolimod after a break in treatment, depending on both how long the break was and how long you had been taking Fingolimod before the break.
If you have, or if you are at risk for, an irregular or abnormal heartbeat, if your electrocardiogram is abnormal, or if you have heart disease or heart failure, Fingolimod may not be appropriate for you.
If you have a history of sudden loss of consciousness or decreased heart rate, Fingolimod may not be appropriate for you. You will be evaluated by a cardiologist (heart specialist) to advise how you should start treatment with Fingolimod, including overnight monitoring.
If you are taking medicines that can cause your heart rate to decrease, Fingolimod may not be appropriate for you. You will need to be evaluated by a cardiologist, who will check whether you can be switched to alternative medicine that does not decrease your heart rate in order to allow treatment with Fingolimod. If such a switch is impossible, the cardiologist will advise how you should start treatment with Fingolimod, including overnight monitoring.
If you have never had chickenpox
If you have never had chickenpox, your doctor will check your immunity against the virus that causes it (varicella zoster virus). If you are not protected against the virus, you may need a vaccination before you start treatment with Fingolimod. If this is the case, your doctor will delay the start of treatment with Fingolimod until one month after the full course of vaccination is completed.
Infections
Fingolimod lowers the white blood cell count (particularly the lymphocyte count). White blood cells fight infection. While you are taking Fingolimod (and for up to 2 months after you stop taking it), you may get infections more easily. Any infection that you already have may get worse. Infections could be serious and life threatening. If you think you have an infection, have fever, feel like you have the flu, have shingles or have a headache accompanied by stiff neck, sensitivity to light, nausea, rash, and/or confusion or seizures (fits) (these may be symptoms of meningitis and/or encephalitis caused by a fungal or herpes viral infection), contact your doctor straight away, because it could be serious and life-threatening.
If you believe your MS is getting worse (e.g. weakness or visual changes) or if you notice any new symptoms, talk to your doctor straight away, because these may be the symptoms of a rare brain disorder caused by infection and called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is a serious condition that may lead to severe disability or death. Your doctor will consider performing an MRI scan to evaluate this condition and will decide whether you need to stop taking Fingolimod.
Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, including papilloma, dysplasia, warts and HPV-related cancer, has been reported in patients treated with Fingolimod. Your doctor will consider whether you need to have a vaccination against HPV before starting treatment. If you are a woman, your doctor will also recommend HPV screening.
Macular oedema
Before you start Fingolimod, if you have or have had visual disturbances or other signs of swelling in the central vision area (macula) at the back of the eye, inflammation or infection of the eye (uveitis) or diabetes, your doctor may want you to undergo an eye examination.
Your doctor may want you to undergo an eye examination 3 to 4 months after starting Fingolimod treatment.
The macula is a small area of the retina at the back of the eye which enables you to see shapes, colours, and details clearly and sharply. Fingolimod may cause swelling in the macula, a condition that is known as macular oedema. The swelling usually happens in the first 4 months of Fingolimod treatment.
Your chance of developing macular oedema is higher if you have diabetes or have had an inflammation of the eye called uveitis. In these cases, your doctor will want you to undergo regular eye examinations in order to detect macular oedema.
If you have had macular oedema, talk to your doctor before you resume treatment with Fingolimod.
Macular oedema can cause some of the same vision symptoms as an MS attack (optic neuritis). Early on, there may not be any symptoms. Be sure to tell your doctor about any changes in your vision. Your doctor may want you to undergo an eye examination, especially if:
Liver function tests
If you have severe liver problems, you should not take Fingolimod. Fingolimod may affect your liver function. You will probably not notice any symptoms but if you notice yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, abnormally dark urine (brown coloured), pain on the right side of your stomach area (abdomen), tiredness, feeling less hungry than usual or unexplained nausea and vomiting, tell your doctor straight away.
If you get any of these symptoms after starting Fingolimod, tell your doctor straight away.
Before, during and after the treatment your doctor will request blood tests to monitor your liver function. If your test results indicate a problem with your liver, you may have to interrupt treatment with Fingolimod.
High blood pressure
As Fingolimod causes a slight elevation of blood pressure, your doctor may want to check your blood pressure regularly.
Lung problems
Fingolimod has a slight effect on the lung function. Patients with severe lung problems or with smoker’s cough may have a higher chance of developing side effects.
Blood count
The desired effect of Fingolimod treatment is to reduce the amount of white blood cells in your blood. This will usually go back to normal within 2 months of stopping treatment. If you need to have any blood tests, tell the doctor that you are taking Fingolimod. Otherwise, it may not be possible for the doctor to understand the results of the test, and for certain types of blood test your doctor may need to take more blood than usual.
Before you start Fingolimod, your doctor will confirm whether you have enough white blood cells in your blood and may want to repeat a check regularly. In case you do not have enough white blood cells, you may have to interrupt treatment with Fingolimod.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)
A condition called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) has been rarely reported in MS patients treated with Fingolimod. Symptoms may include sudden onset of severe headache, confusion, seizures and vision changes. Tell your doctor straight away if you experience any of these symptoms during your treatment with Fingolimod, because it could be serious.
Cancer
Skin cancers have been reported in MS patients treated with Fingolimod. Talk to your doctor straight away if you notice any skin nodules (e.g. shiny pearly nodules), patches or open sores that do not heal within weeks. Symptoms of skin cancer may include abnormal growth or changes of skin tissue (e.g. unusual moles) with a change in colour, shape or size over time. Before you start Fingolimod, a skin examination is required to check whether you have any skin nodules. Your doctor will also carry out regular skin examinations during your treatment with Fingolimod. If you develop problems with your skin, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist, who after consultation may decide that it is important for you to be seen on a regular basis.
A type of cancer of the lymphatic system (lymphoma) has been reported in MS patients treated with Fingolimod.
Exposure to the sun and protection against the sun
Fingolimod weakens your immune system. This increases your risk of developing cancers, in particular skin cancers. You should limit your exposure to the sun and UV rays by:
Unusual brain lesions associated with MS relapse
Rare cases of unusually large brain lesions associated with MS relapse have been reported in patients treated with Fingolimod. In case of severe relapse, your doctor will consider performing MRI to evaluate this condition and will decide whether you need to stop taking Fingolimod.
Switch from other treatments to Fingolimod
Your doctor may switch you directly from beta interferon, glatiramer acetate or dimethyl fumarate to Fingolimod if there are no signs of abnormalities caused by your previous treatment. Your doctor may have to do a blood test in order to exclude such abnormalities. After stopping natalizumab you may have to wait for 2-3 months before starting treatment with Fingolimod. To switch from teriflunomide, your doctor may advise you to wait for a certain time or to go through an accelerated elimination procedure. If you have been treated with alemtuzumab, a thorough evaluation and discussion with your doctor is required to decide if Fingolimod is appropriate for you.
Women of childbearing potential
If used during pregnancy, Fingolimod can harm the unborn baby. Before you start treatment with Fingolimod your doctor will explain the risk to you and ask you to do a pregnancy test in order to ensure that you are not pregnant. Your doctor will give you a card which explains why you should not become pregnant while taking Fingolimod. It also explains what you should do to avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking Fingolimod. You must use effective contraception during treatment and for 2 months after stopping treatment (see section “Pregnancy and breastfeeding”).
Worsening of MS after stopping Fingolimod treatment
Do not stop taking Fingolimod or change your dose without talking to your doctor first.
Tell your doctor straight away if you think your MS is getting worse after you have stopped treatment with Fingolimod. This could be serious (see “If you stop taking Fingolimod” in section 3, and also section 4, “Possible side effects”).
Experience with Fingolimod in elderly patients (over 65 years) is limited. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Fingolimod is not intended for use in children below 10 years old as it has not been studied in MS patients in this age group.
The warnings and precautions listed above also apply to children and adolescents. The following information is particularly important for children and adolescents and their carergivers:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
Pregnancy
Do not use Fingolimod during pregnancy, if you are trying to become pregnant or if you are a woman who could become pregnant and you are not using effective contraception. If Fingolimod is used during pregnancy, there is a risk of harm to the unborn baby. The rate of congenital malformations observed in babies exposed to Fingolimod during pregnancy is about 2 times the rate observed in the general population (in whom the rate of congenital malformations is about 2-3%). The most frequently reported malformations included cardiac, renal and musculoskeletal malformations.
Therefore, if you are a woman of childbearing potential:
and,
Your doctor will give you a card which explains why you should not become pregnant while taking Fingolimod.
If you do become pregnant while taking Fingolimod, tell your doctor straight away. Your doctor will decide to stop treatment (see “If you stop taking Fingolimod” in section 3, and also section 4, “Possible side effects”). Specialised pre-natal monitoring will be performed.
Breast-feeding
You should not breast-feed while you are taking Fingolimod. Fingolimod can pass into breast milk and there is a risk of serious side effects for the baby.
Your doctor will tell you whether your illness allows you to drive vehicles, including a bicycle, and use machines safely. Fingolimod is not expected to have an influence on your ability to drive and use machines.
However, at initiation of treatment you will have to stay at the doctor’s surgery or clinic for 6 hours after taking the first dose of Fingolimod. Your ability to drive and use machines may be impaired during and potentially after this time period.
Treatment with fingolimod will be overseen by a doctor who is experienced in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure.
The recommended dose is:
The dose is one 0.5 mg capsule per day.
The dose depends on body weight:
Children and adolescents who start on one 0.25 mg capsule per day and later reach a stable body weight above 40 kg will be instructed by their doctor to switch to one 0.5 mg capsule per day. In this case, it is recommended to repeat the first-dose observation period.
Do not exceed the recommended dose. Fingolimod is for oral use.
Take Fingolimod once a day with a glass of water. Fingolimod capsules should always be swallowed intact, without opening them. Fingolimod can be taken with or without food.
Taking Fingolimod at the same time each day will help you remember when to take your medicine. If you have questions about how long to take Fingolimod, talk to your doctor or your pharmacist.
If you have taken too much Fingolimod, call your doctor straight away.
If you have been taking Fingolimod for less than 1 month and you forget to take 1 dose for a whole day, call your doctor before you take the next dose. Your doctor may decide to keep you under observation at the time you take the next dose.
If you have been taking Fingolimod for at least 1 month and have forgotten to take your treatment for more than 2 weeks, call your doctor before you take the next dose. Your doctor may decide to keep you under observation at the time you take the next dose. However, if you have forgotten to take your treatment for up to 2 weeks, you can take the next dose as planned.
Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Do not stop taking Fingolimod or change your dose without talking to your doctor first.
Fingolimod will stay in your body for up to 2 months after you stop taking it. Your white blood cell count (lymphocyte count) may also remain low during this time and the side effects described in this leaflet may still occur. After stopping Fingolimod you may have to wait for 6-8 weeks before starting a new MS treatment.
If you have to restart Fingolimod more than 2 weeks after you stop taking it, the effect on heart rate normally seen when treatment is first started may re-occur and you will need to be monitored at the doctor’s surgery or clinic for re-initiation of treatment. Do not restart Fingolimod after stopping it for more than two weeks without seeking advice from your doctor.
Your doctor will decide whether and how you need to be monitored after stopping Fingolimod. Tell your doctor straight away if you think your MS is getting worse after you have stopped treatment with Fingolimod. This could be serious.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Some side effects could be or could become serious
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
If you experience any of these, tell your doctor straight away.
Other side effects
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
If any of these affects you severely, tell your doctor.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister foil after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store below 25ºC.
Do not use this medicine if you notice that the pack is damaged.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Fingolimod 0.5 mg hard capsules have a white opaque cap and body, with black imprint “0.5 mg” on the cap and black imprint “MF” on the body. The capsules are filled with a white to off white coloured fine powder.
Fingolimod is available in packs of 7, 10, 14, 28, 30 or 98 hard capsules.
Fingolimod is also available in perforated unit dose blister packs of 7 x 1, 10 x 1, 14 x 1, 28 x 1, 30 x 1 or 98 x 1 hard capsules.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
This leaflet was last revised in October 2024.