Fingolimod Uses, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com

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# Fingolimod

Generic name: fingolimod [ fin-GOE-li-mod ]
Brand names: Gilenya, Tascenso ODT
Dosage form: oral capsule (0.5 mg)
Drug class: Selective immunosuppressants

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Dec 19, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

## What is fingolimod?

Fingolimod is used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults and children who are at least 10 years old. This medication will not cure MS, it will only decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms.

Fingolimod may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

## Warnings

You should not use fingolimod if you take certain heart rhythm medicines, or if you've had a serious heart condition in the past 6 months. Serious heart conditions include certain heart rhythm disorders, heart failure, chest pain, heart attack, or stroke.

Fingolimod can slow your heart rate when you start taking it. You will receive your first dose in a setting where your heart rhythm can be monitored. If you miss 1 or more doses, you may also need to restart fingolimod under medical observation.

You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor if you have a fever, chills, aches, tiredness, vomiting, confusion, neck stiffness, increased sensitivity to light, or problems with coordination, thought, vision, or muscle movement.

## Before taking this medicine

You should not use fingolimod if you are allergic to it, or if you have certain serious heart conditions, especially:

- severe heart failure (that required you to be in the hospital);

- "AV block" or sick sinus syndrome (unless you have a pacemaker);

- long QT syndrome; or

- recent (within the past 6 months) heart attack, stroke, "mini-stroke" or TIA, chest pain (unstable angina), or other serious heart problem.

Your doctor will check your heart function before you start taking fingolimod.

Some heart rhythm medications can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with fingolimod. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use: amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, dronedarone, ibutilide, mexiletine, procainamide, propafenone, quinidine, or sotalol.

Before you take fingolimod, tell your doctor if you have never had chickenpox or if you have never received a varicella vaccine (Varivax). You may need to receive the vaccine and then wait 1 month before taking fingolimod.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

- an active or chronic infection;

- a heart rhythm disorder;

- chest pain (angina) or other heart problems;

- a heart attack or stroke, including "mini-stroke";

- high or low blood pressure;

- fainting spells;

- diabetes;

- skin cancer;

- liver disease;

- an eye condition called uveitis; or

- asthma, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder.

Using fingolimod may increase your risk of developing skin cancer (melanoma). Ask your doctor about skin symptoms to watch for.

Fingolimod may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using fingolimod, and for at least 2 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during this time.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of fingolimod on the baby.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

## Related/similar drugs

Gilenya, Copaxone, Tecfidera, Aubagio, Avonex, Tysabri

## How should I take fingolimod?

Fingolimod can slow your heart rate when you start taking it. You will receive your first dose in a medical setting. Your blood pressure and heart rate will be constantly monitored for at least 6 hours after your first dose of fingolimod.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take fingolimod with or without food.

If you stop taking fingolimod, do not start taking it again without asking your doctor. You will need to be under medical observation when you restart this medication.

Always ask your doctor before you stop taking fingolimod for any reason. When you stop taking fingolimod, your MS symptoms may return. In rare cases, some people who stopped taking fingolimod had MS symptoms that were worse than before or during treatment with this medicine.

If you stop taking fingolimod, watch for signs of worsening MS for at least 12 weeks after your last dose. Call your doctor right away if any new or worsening symptoms appear.

Fingolimod affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Your doctor will need to examine you on a regular basis. Your risk of infection could last up to 2 months after you stop taking this medicine.

Store fingolimod in the original package at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

## What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions. If you miss 1 or more doses, you may need to take your next dose under medical observation in a medical setting.

## What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

## What should I avoid while taking fingolimod?

Fingolimod can increase your risk of skin cancer. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using fingolimod, and for 2 months after your last dose. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), or zoster (shingles).

## Fingolimod side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Fingolimod may cause a serious brain infection that can lead to disability or death. Call your doctor right away if you have problems with speech, thought, vision, or muscle movement. These symptoms may start gradually and get worse quickly.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

- shiny nodules on your skin, sores that do not heal, unusual moles that change in color or size;

- blurred vision, eye pain, or a blind spot or shadows in the center of your vision (may occur 3 to 4 months after you start taking fingolimod);

- new or worsened breathing problems;

- sores in your mouth and throat, cold sores, sores on your genital or anal area;

- blood vessel problems in the brain--headache, confusion, change in mental status, sudden vision loss, seizure (convulsions);

- heart problems--chest pain, slow or irregular heartbeats, and feeling dizzy or tired;

- liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

- signs of infection--fever, chills, body aches, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, neck stiffness, increased sensitivity to light.

Common side effects of fingolimod may include:

- headache, back pain;

- stomach pain, diarrhea;

- pain in your arms or legs;

- cough, stuffy nose, flu symptoms; or

- abnormal liver function tests.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Fingolimod side effects (more detail)

## Fingolimod dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Multiple Sclerosis:

0.5 mg orally once a day
Comments:
-This drug can be taken with or without food.
-See DOSE ADJUSTMENTS for recommended pre-dose testing and monitoring recommendations.
Use: For relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS)

Usual Pediatric Dose for Multiple Sclerosis:

10 years and older and weighing 40 kg or less:
0.25 mg orally once a day
10 years and older and weighing more than 40 kg:
0.5 mg orally once a day
Comments:
-This drug can be taken with or without food.
-See DOSE ADJUSTMENTS for recommended pre-dose testing and monitoring recommendations.
Use: For relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in patients 10 years and older

Detailed Fingolimod dosage information

## What other drugs will affect fingolimod?

Fingolimod can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

- drugs that weaken the immune system such as cancer medicine, steroids, and medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect fingolimod. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Fingolimod drug interactions (more detail)

## Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

## Popular FAQ

Gilenya vs Tecfidera. How do they compare?

Gilenya and Tecfidera are both disease-modifying oral medications approved for the treatment of MS. Both are equally effective although Tecfidera is more likely than Gilenya to be discontinued within 24 months. Gilenya is approved to treat adults and children aged 10 and older and Tecfidera is only approved for adults over the age of 18. Common side effects of Gilenya include heart rhythm disturbances, diarrhea, infections, and elevations in liver enzymes and common side effects of Tecfidera include flushing, gastrointestinal disturbances, and infections. Tecfidera is slightly more expensive than Gilenya. Continue reading

### More FAQ

- What are the new drugs used for multiple sclerosis (MS)?
- How much does Gilenya cost?
- What happens when you stop taking Gilenya?
- Does Gilenya suppress the immune system?

View more FAQ

## More about fingolimod

- Check interactions
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (94)
- Drug images
- Latest FDA alerts (4)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: selective immunosuppressants
- Breastfeeding
- En español

### Patient resources

#### Other brands

Gilenya, Tascenso ODT

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Multiple Sclerosis

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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