Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma, 120 mg gastro-resistant hard capsules
Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma, 240 mg gastro-resistant hard capsules
Dimethyl fumarate
You should carefully read the contents of this leaflet before taking this medicine, as it contains important information for you.
Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma is a medicine that contains the active substance dimethyl fumarate.
Multiple sclerosis is a long-term disease that damages the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain and spinal cord. Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is characterized by recurring episodes of neurological symptoms (called relapses). The symptoms vary from person to person, but usually include problems with walking and balance, and vision problems (such as blurred or double vision). These symptoms can completely disappear after a relapse, but some problems may persist.
Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma is thought to prevent the immune system from causing damage to the brain and spinal cord, which may also help to slow down the progression of the disease in the future.
Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma may affect your white blood cell countand kidney and liver function. Before starting treatment with Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma, your doctor will check your white blood cell count and make sure that your kidneys and liver are working properly. These tests will be repeated periodically during treatment. If your white blood cell count decreases during treatment, your doctor may consider additional tests or stop treatment.
During treatment with Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma, you may experience shingles. In some cases, serious complications have occurred. If you suspect that you have symptoms of shingles, you should immediately tell your doctor.
If your multiple sclerosis gets worse (for example, you experience weakness or vision problems) or you develop new symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately, as these may be symptoms of a rare brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is a serious disease that can cause severe disability or death.
The warnings and precautions mentioned above also apply to children and adolescents. Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma can be used in children and adolescents aged 13 years and older. There is no experience with the use of dimethyl fumarate in children under 10 years of age.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking or have recently taken, including those you have bought without a prescription, especially:
You should avoid consuming high-percentage alcoholic beverages (more than 30% alcohol content, e.g., spirits) in amounts exceeding 50 ml within one hour of taking Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma, due to the risk of interaction between alcohol and this medicine, which may lead to stomach inflammation (gastritis), especially in people prone to this disease.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Pregnancy
Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma should not be taken during pregnancy unless you have discussed it with your doctor.
Breastfeeding
It is not known whether the active substance of Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma passes into breast milk. Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma should not be taken during breastfeeding. Your doctor will help you decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma. The decision will be based on the benefit of breastfeeding to the baby compared to the benefit of treatment for you.
The effect of Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma on the ability to drive and use machines is not known. It is unlikely that Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma will affect your ability to drive and use machines.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure, ask your doctor.
This initial dose should be taken for the first 7 days, and then the recommended dose should be taken.
Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma should be taken orally.
Each capsule should be swallowed whole, with a glass of water. The capsules should not be divided, crushed, dissolved, sucked, or chewed, as this may increase certain side effects.
Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma should be taken with food– this will help to reduce the very common side effects (listed in section 4).
If you have taken more capsules than recommended, tell your doctor immediately. Side effects similar to those described below in section 4 may occur.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
A missed dose can be taken later, provided that a 4-hour interval is maintained before the next dose. If it is too late, do not take the missed dose, but take the next dose at the usual time.
If you have any further questions about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma may lower the number of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. A low white blood cell count can increase the risk of infections, including a rare brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML can cause severe disability or death. PML has been reported after 1 to 5 years of treatment, so your doctor should monitor your white blood cell count throughout treatment, and you should be aware of the symptoms described below, which may indicate PML. The risk of PML may be higher if you have taken medicines that affect the immune system in the past.
The frequency of severe allergic reactions cannot be estimated from the available data (frequency not known).
A very common side effect is sudden (acute) flushing of the face or body. If the flushing is accompanied by a red rash or hives andany of the following symptoms:
Very common side effects(may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
During treatment with Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma, ketonuria (the presence of ketones in the urine) is very commonly reported in urine tests.
Ask your doctor for advice on how to deal with side effects.Your doctor may reduce the dose of the medicine. Do not reduce the dose yourself unless your doctor advises you to do so.
Common side effects(may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Side effects that may affect the results of blood or urine tests
Uncommon side effects(may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Frequency not known(cannot be estimated from the available data)
The side effects listed above also apply to children and adolescents.
Some side effects have been reported more frequently in children and adolescents than in adults, such as headache, stomach pain or cramps, vomiting, sore throat, cough, and painful menstruation.
If you experience any side effects, including those not listed in this leaflet, tell your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.You can also report side effects directly to the national reporting system via the contact details listed below. 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 blister, bottle, and carton after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
There are no special storage instructions for this medicine.
Store in the original package to protect from light.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.
The active substance is dimethyl fumarate.
Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma, 120 mg - Each capsule contains 120 mg of dimethyl fumarate.
Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma, 240 mg - Each capsule contains 240 mg of dimethyl fumarate.
The other ingredients are:
Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma 120 mg gastro-resistant hard capsules
Green cap and white body, 21.4 mm capsules, with black printing “DMF 120” on the body, containing white or almost white gastro-resistant mini-tablets.
Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma 240 mg gastro-resistant hard capsules
Green cap and body, 23.2 mm capsules, with black printing “DMF 240” on the body, containing white or almost white gastro-resistant mini-tablets.
HDPE bottle with PP/HDPE cap and a desiccant container - silica gel, containing 100 capsules.
Do not swallow the desiccant.
OPA/Aluminium/PVC/Aluminium blisters or single-dose OPA/Aluminium/PVC/Aluminium blisters.
Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma, 120 mg gastro-resistant hard capsules
Packaging containing:
Dimethyl fumarate G.L. Pharma, 240 mg gastro-resistant hard capsules
Packaging containing:
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
G.L. Pharma GmbH
Schlossplatz 1
8502 Lannach
Austria
Pharmadox Healthcare Ltd.
KW20A Kordin Industrial Park
Paola PLA 3000, Malta
Adalvo Limited
Malta Life Sciences Park
Building 1, Level 4, Sir Temi Zammit Buildings
San Gwann, SGN 3000, Malta
KeVaRo GROUP Ltd
9 Tzaritza Elenora Str. Office 23
Sofia 1618, Bulgaria
G.L. PHARMA POLAND Sp. z o.o.
Al. Jana Pawła II 61/313
01-031 Warsaw, Poland
Phone: 022/ 636 52 23; 636 53 02
[email protected]
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