Package Leaflet: Information for the User
Fingolimod Aurovitas 0.5 mg Hard Capsules EFG
Read the entire package leaflet carefully before starting to take this medication, as it contains important information for you.
Contents of the Package Leaflet
What is Fingolimod Aurovitas
This medication contains the active ingredient fingolimod.
What is Fingolimod Aurovitas used for
Fingolimod is used in adults and in children and adolescents (10 years of age and older) to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) (with relapses), particularly in:
or
Fingolimod does not cure MS, but it helps reduce the number of relapses and slow the progression of physical disabilities due to MS.
What is Multiple Sclerosis
MS is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord. In MS, inflammation destroys the protective sheath (called myelin) that covers the nerves in the CNS and prevents the nerves from functioning properly. This process is called demyelination.
Relapsing-remitting MS is characterized by repeated attacks (relapses) of neurological symptoms that reflect the inflammation occurring in the CNS. Symptoms vary from patient to patient but usually include difficulty walking, loss of sensation in a part of the body (numbness), vision problems, or balance disorders. The symptoms of a relapse may disappear completely when the relapse ends, but some problems may persist.
How Fingolimod Aurovitas Works
Fingolimod helps combat the immune system's attacks on the CNS by reducing the ability of some white blood cells (lymphocytes) to move freely within the body and preventing them from reaching the brain and spinal cord. This limits the nerve damage attributed to multiple sclerosis. Fingolimod also reduces some of the immune responses of your body.
Do not takeFingolimod Aurovitas
If any of the above cases apply to you or if you are unsure, tell your doctor before taking fingolimod.
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before starting to take this medication.
If any of the above cases apply to you or if you are unsure, tell your doctor before taking fingolimod.
Slow heart rate (bradycardia) and irregular heartbeats
At the start of treatment or after taking the first dose of 0.5 mg, in the case that you have been changed from a previous dose of 0.25 mg once a day, fingolimod causes a decrease in heart rate. As a result, you may feel dizzy or tired, be aware of your heartbeat, or your blood pressure may drop. If these effects are severe, tell your doctor as you may need immediate treatment.Fingolimod can also cause irregular heartbeats, especially after the first dose. Irregular heartbeats usually return to normal in less than a day. The slow heart rate usually returns to normal within a month. During this period, no clinically significant effect on heart rate is usually expected.
Your doctor will ask you to stay in the office or hospital for at least 6 hours, with pulse and blood pressure checks every hour, after taking the first dose of fingolimod or after taking the first dose of 0.5 mg, in the case that you have been changed from a previous dose of 0.25 mg once a day, so that appropriate measures can be taken in case of adverse effects that appear at the start of treatment. You should have an electrocardiogram before the first dose of fingolimod and after the 6-hour monitoring period. Your doctor may continuously monitor your electrocardiogram during this time. If after the 6-hour period you have a very slow or decreasing heart rate, or if your electrocardiogram shows abnormalities, you will need to be monitored for a longer period (at least 2 hours more and possibly overnight until this is resolved). The same may apply if you are resuming fingolimod after a pause in treatment, depending on both the duration of the pause and how long you were taking fingolimod before the pause.
If you have or are at risk of having irregular or abnormal heartbeats, if your electrocardiogram is abnormal, or if you have heart disease or heart failure, fingolimod may not be suitable for you.
If you have had sudden fainting spells or a slow heart rate in the past, fingolimod may not be suitable for you. You will be evaluated by a cardiologist (heart specialist) who will advise you on how to start treatment with fingolimod, including overnight monitoring.
If you are taking other medications that can slow your heart rate, fingolimod may not be suitable for you. You need to be evaluated by a cardiologist, who will assess whether you can switch to alternative medications that do not slow the heart rate to allow treatment with fingolimod. If such a switch is not possible, the cardiologist will advise you on how to start treatment with fingolimod, including overnight monitoring.
If you have never had chickenpox
If you have not had chickenpox, your doctor will check your immunity to the virus that causes it (varicella-zoster virus). If you are not protected against the virus, you will likely need to be vaccinated before starting treatment with fingolimod. If so, your doctor will delay the start of treatment with fingolimod for one month after completing the vaccination cycle.
Infections
Fingolimod reduces the number of white blood cells in your blood (especially the number of lymphocytes). White blood cells fight infections. During treatment with fingolimod (and up to two months after stopping treatment), you may be more likely to get infections. You may even get worse if you already have an infection. Infections can be serious and potentially life-threatening. If you think you have an infection, have a fever, have flu-like symptoms, have herpes (shingles), or have a headache accompanied by stiffness in the neck, sensitivity to light, nausea, rash, and/or confusion or seizures (which can be symptoms of meningitis and/or encephalitis caused by a fungal or herpes virus infection), contact your doctor immediately because it can be serious and life-threatening.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, including papilloma, dysplasia, warts, and HPV-associated cancer, has been reported in patients treated with fingolimod. Your doctor will assess whether you need to be vaccinated against HPV before starting treatment. If you are a woman, your doctor will also recommend that you have regular HPV screenings.
PML
PML is a rare brain disorder caused by an infection that can cause severe disability or death. Your doctor will perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans before starting treatment and during treatment to monitor the risk of PML.
If you think your multiple sclerosis (MS) is getting worse or if you notice any new symptoms, such as changes in your mood or behavior, worsening or appearance of weakness on one side of your body, changes in vision, confusion, memory problems, or difficulties with speech and communication, tell your doctor as soon as possible. These can be symptoms of PML. Also, talk to your family members or caregivers to inform them about your treatment. Symptoms may appear without you realizing it.
If you develop PML, it can be treated, and your treatment with fingolimod will be stopped. Some people have an inflammatory reaction when fingolimod is removed from the body. This reaction (known as immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome or IRIS) can cause your disease to worsen, including worsening of brain function.
Macular edema
Before starting treatment with fingolimod, your doctor may request an eye examination if you have or have had visual disorders or other signs of inflammation in the central vision area (macula) of the eye, an inflammation or infection of the eye (uveitis), or diabetes.
After starting treatment with fingolimod, your doctor may request an eye examination after 3 or 4 months of treatment.
The macula is a small area of the retina located at the back of the eye that allows you to see shapes, colors, and details clearly and sharply. Fingolimod can cause inflammation of the macula, and this disorder is known as macular edema. Inflammation usually occurs within the first four months of treatment with fingolimod.
If you have diabetes or have had an eye inflammation known as uveitis, you are more likely to develop macular edema. In these cases, your doctor will want you to have regular eye checks to detect macular edema.
If you have had macular edema, consult your doctor before continuing treatment with fingolimod.
Macular edema can cause the same visual symptoms as those produced by an MS attack (optic neuritis). At first, you may not have symptoms. You should inform your doctor of any changes you notice in your vision. Your doctor may want to perform an eye examination, especially if:
Liver function tests
If you have severe liver problems, you should not take fingolimod. Fingolimod can affect liver function. You may not notice any symptoms, but if you notice a yellowish tint to your skin or the white part of your eyes, unusually dark urine (brown color), pain in your right side of the stomach (abdomen), fatigue, loss of appetite, or nausea and vomiting without apparent cause, tell your doctor immediately.
If you have any of these symptoms after starting treatment with fingolimod, tell your doctor immediately.
Before, during, and after treatment, your doctor will request blood tests to check your liver function. You may need to stop treatment if the results of your blood tests indicate a problem with your liver.
High blood pressure
Since fingolimod can cause a slight increase in blood pressure, your doctor will want you to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Lung problems
Fingolimod has a mild effect on lung function. Patients with severe lung problems or smoker's cough are more likely to develop adverse effects.
Blood count
The expected effect of treatment with fingolimod is to reduce the number of white blood cells in your blood. This effect usually returns to normal within 2 months after stopping treatment. If you need to have blood tests, inform your doctor that you are taking fingolimod, as your doctor may not understand the results of the tests if you do not. For certain blood tests, your doctor may need more blood than usual.
Before starting treatment with fingolimod, your doctor will check if you have enough white blood cells in your blood and may want to repeat checks regularly. If you do not have enough white blood cells, you may need to stop treatment with fingolimod.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)
A rare condition known as posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) has been reported in MS patients treated with fingolimod. Symptoms can include sudden and severe headache, confusion, seizures, and changes in vision. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with fingolimod, as it can be serious.
Cancer
Cases of skin cancer have been reported in MS patients treated with fingolimod. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any nodules on your skin (e.g., shiny nodules), spots, or open sores that do not heal within weeks. Symptoms of skin cancer can include abnormal growth or changes in skin tissue (e.g., unusual moles) that change color, shape, or size over time. Before starting treatment with fingolimod, a skin examination is required to check if you have any skin nodules. Your doctor will also perform regular skin checks during treatment with fingolimod. If any skin problems appear, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist, who may decide if it is important to visit you regularly.
A type of cancer of the lymphatic system (lymphoma) has been reported in MS patients treated with fingolimod.
Sun exposure and sun protection
Fingolimod weakens your immune system, which increases the risk of developing cancer, especially skin cancer. You should limit your exposure to the sun and UV rays by:
Unusual brain lesions associated with MS relapses
Rare cases of large and unusual brain lesions associated with MS relapses have been reported in patients treated with fingolimod. In the case of severe relapses, your doctor will assess the need to perform an MRI scan to evaluate your condition and decide if you need to stop taking fingolimod.
Switching from other treatments to fingolimod
Your doctor may switch you directly from interferon beta, glatiramer acetate, or dimethyl fumarate to fingolimod if there are no signs of treatment-related abnormalities. Your doctor may need to perform a blood test to rule out such abnormalities. After stopping natalizumab, you may need to wait 2-3 months before starting treatment with fingolimod. To switch from teriflunomide, your doctor may advise you to wait for a period or undergo an accelerated elimination procedure. If you have been treated with alemtuzumab, a thorough evaluation is necessary, and you should discuss it with your doctor to decide if fingolimod is suitable for you.
Women of childbearing age
If fingolimod is used during pregnancy, it may harm the fetus. Before starting treatment with fingolimod, your doctor will explain the risks and ask you to have a pregnancy test to ensure you are not pregnant. Your doctor will give you a card that explains why you should not become pregnant while taking fingolimod and what you should do to avoid becoming pregnant while taking fingolimod. During treatment and for 2 months after stopping treatment, you must use an effective contraceptive method (see section "Pregnancy and breastfeeding").
Worsening of MS after stopping treatment with fingolimod
Do not stop taking fingolimod or change the dose your doctor has prescribed without discussing it with your doctor first.
Tell your doctor immediately if you think your MS is getting worse after stopping treatment with fingolimod, as it can be serious (see section 3 "If you stop taking Fingolimod Aurovitas" and also section 4 "Possible side effects").
Elderly patients
Experience with fingolimod in elderly patients (over 65 years) is limited. If in doubt, consult your doctor.
Children and adolescents
Fingolimod should not be administered to children under 10 years of age, as it has not been studied in patients with MS in this age group.
The warnings and precautions mentioned above also apply to children and adolescents. The following information is especially important for children and adolescents and their caregivers:
Other medications and Fingolimod Aurovitas
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or may need to take any other medication. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:
Si tiene alguna de las siguientes condiciones, consulte a su médico antes de tomar Fingolimod Aurovitas:
Algunos medicamentos pueden interactuar con Fingolimod Aurovitas. Consulte a su médico antes de tomar Fingolimod Aurovitas si está tomando alguno de los siguientes medicamentos:
Si toma alguno de estos medicamentos, no debe tomar Fingolimod Aurovitas, ya que esto podría intensificar el efecto sobre los latidos irregulares del corazón (ver también el apartado “No tome Fingolimod Aurovitas”).
Embarazo y lactancia
Si está embarazada o en período de lactancia, cree que podría estar embarazada o tiene intención de quedarse embarazada, consulte a su médico antes de utilizar este medicamento.
Embarazo
No tome Fingolimod durante el embarazo, ni si tiene intención de quedarse embarazada, ni tampoco si es una mujer que pueda quedarse embarazada y no utiliza un método anticonceptivo efectivo. Si Fingolimod se usa durante el embarazo, existe el riesgo de causar daño en el feto. La tasa de malformaciones congénitas observada en bebés expuestos a Fingolimod durante el embarazo es de aproximadamente 2 veces más que la observada en la población general (donde la tasa de malformaciones congénitas es aproximadamente del 2-3%). Las malformaciones comunicadas más frecuentemente incluyeron malformaciones cardiacas, renales y musculoesqueléticas.
Por ello, si es una mujer en edad fértil:
y,
Su médico le entregará una tarjeta que explica por qué no debe quedarse embarazada mientras toma Fingolimod.
Si se queda embarazada durante el tratamiento con Fingolimod, informe inmediatamente a su médico.Su médico decidirá interrumpir el tratamiento (ver en sección 3 “Si interrumpe el tratamiento con Fingolimod Aurovitas” y también sección 4 “Posibles efectos adversos”). Le realizarán un seguimiento prenatal específico.
Lactancia
Durante el tratamiento con Fingolimod no deberá dar el pecho. Fingolimod pasa a la leche materna y existe el riesgo de que el bebé pueda tener efectos adversos graves.
Conducción y uso de máquinas
Su médico le informará si su enfermedad le permite conducir vehículos, incluido bicicletas, y utilizar máquinas de forma segura. No se prevé que Fingolimod pueda tener influencia en su capacidad para conducir y utilizar máquinas.
Sin embargo, al inicio del tratamiento tendrá que permanecer en la consulta médica u hospital durante 6 horas después de tomar la primera dosis de Fingolimod. Durante este período de tiempo y puede que después, su habilidad para conducir y utilizar máquinas podría verse alterada.
Fingolimod Aurovitas contiene maltodextrina (glucosa)
La maltodextrina se absorbe como glucosa. Si su médico le ha indicado que padece una intolerancia a ciertos azúcares, consulte con él antes de tomar este medicamento.
Fingolimod Aurovitas contiene sodio
Este medicamento contiene menos de 1 mmol de sodio (23 mg) por cápsula; esto es, esencialmente “exento de sodio”.
El tratamiento con Fingolimod será supervisado por un médico con experiencia en el tratamiento de la esclerosis múltiple.
Siga exactamente las instrucciones de administración de este medicamento indicadas por su médico. En caso de duda, consulte de nuevo a su médico.
La dosis recomendada es:
Adultos:
La dosis es de una cápsula de 0,5 mg al día.
Niños y adolescentes (de 10 años de edad y en adelante):
La dosis depende del peso corporal:
A los niños y adolescentes que empiezan con una cápsula de 0,25 mg al día y más adelante alcanzan un peso estable superior a 40 kg, el médico les indicará que cambien a una cápsula de 0,5 mg al día. En este caso, se recomienda repetir el período de observación de la primera dosis.
No exceda la dosis recomendada.
Fingolimod se toma por vía oral.
Tome Fingolimod una vez al día con un vaso de agua. Las cápsulas de Fingolimod siempre se deben tragar intactas, sin abrirlas. Fingolimod se puede tomar con o sin alimentos.
La toma de Fingolimod cada día a la misma hora le ayudará a recordar el momento en que debe tomar el medicamento.
Si tiene dudas sobre la duración del tratamiento con Fingolimod, consulte con su médico o su farmacéutico.
Si toma más Fingolimod Aurovitas del que debe
Si ha tomado más Fingolimod de lo que debe, informe a su médico inmediatamente.
En caso de sobredosis o ingestión accidental, consulte inmediatamente a su médico o farmacéutico o llame al Servicio de Información Toxicológica, teléfono 91 562 04 20, indicando el medicamento y la cantidad ingerida.
Si olvidó tomar Fingolimod Aurovitas
Si ha estado tomando Fingolimod durante menos de 1 mes y olvida tomar 1 dosis durante un día entero, hable con su médico antes de tomar la siguiente dosis. Su médico puede decidir mantenerle bajo observación en el momento en que tome la siguiente dosis.
Si ha estado tomando Fingolimod durante al menos 1 mes y se ha olvidado de tomar su tratamiento durante más de 2 semanas, hable con su médico antes de tomar la siguiente dosis. Su médico puede decidir mantenerle bajo observación en el momento en que tome la siguiente dosis. Sin embargo, si se ha olvidado de tomar su tratamiento durante un período de hasta 2 semanas, puede tomar la siguiente dosis tal y como lo tenía previsto.
Nunca tome una dosis doble para compensar las dosis olvidadas.
Si interrumpe el tratamiento con Fingolimod Aurovitas
No deje de tomar Fingolimod ni cambie la dosis que se debe tomar sin comentarlo antes con su médico.
Fingolimod permanecerá en su organismo hasta dos meses después de la interrupción del tratamiento. El número de glóbulos blancos de la sangre (recuento de linfocitos) puede permanecer bajo durante este período y es posible que todavía se manifiesten los efectos adversos descritos en este prospecto. Después de interrumpir el tratamiento con Fingolimod podría tener que esperar durante 6-8 semanas antes de iniciar un nuevo tratamiento para la EM.
Si debe reanudar el tratamiento con Fingolimod tras una pausa de más de dos semanas, el efecto sobre el ritmo cardiaco que puede darse al inicio del tratamiento puede repetirse y será necesario que se le monitorice en la consulta médica para reiniciar el tratamiento. No reinicie el tratamiento con Fingolimod después de que lo haya interrumpido durante más de dos semanas sin pedir consejo a su médico.
Su médico decidirá si es necesario hacerle un seguimiento tras la interrupción del tratamiento con Fingolimod y de qué modo. Informe a su médico inmediatamente si cree que su EM está empeorando después de haber interrumpido el tratamiento con Fingolimod, ya que podría ser grave.
Si tiene cualquier otra duda sobre el uso de este medicamento, pregunte a su médico o farmacéutico.
Al igual que todos los medicamentos, este medicamento puede producir efectos adversos, aunque no todas las personas los sufran.
Algunos efectos adversos pueden ser graves o potencialmente graves
Frecuentes(pueden afectar hasta a 1 de cada 10 personas):
Poco frecuentes(pueden afectar hasta a 1 de cada 100 personas):
Raros(pueden afectar hasta a 1 de cada 1.000 personas):
Muy raros(pueden afectar hasta a 1 de cada 10.000 personas):
Frecuencia no conocida(no puede estimarse a partir de los datos disponibles):
Si tiene cualquiera de estos síntomas, informe a su médico inmediatamente.
Otros efectos adversos
Muy frecuentes(pueden afectar a más de 1 de cada 10 personas):
Frecuentes(pueden afectar hasta a 1 de cada 10 personas):
Poco frecuentes(pueden afectar hasta a 1 de cada 100 personas):
Raros(pueden afectar hasta a 1 de cada 1.000 personas):
Frecuencia no conocida(no puede estimarse a partir de los datos disponibles):
Si considera que alguno de los efectos adversos que sufre es grave, informe a su médico.
Comunicación de efectos adversos
Si experimenta cualquier tipo de efecto adverso, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico, incluso si se trata de posibles efectos adversos que no aparecen en este prospecto. También puede comunicarlos directamente a través del Sistema Español de Farmacovigilancia de Medicamentos de Uso Humano: www.notificaram.es. Mediante la comunicación de efectos adversos usted puede contribuir a proporcionar más información sobre la seguridad de este medicamento.
Mantener este medicamento fuera de la vista y del alcance de los niños.
No utilice este medicamento después de la fecha de caducidad que aparece en el cartonaje y blíster, después de “CAD”. La fecha de caducidad es el último día del mes que se indica.
Conservar por debajo de 30ºC.
Los medicamentos no se deben tirar por los desagües ni a la basura. Deposite los envases y los medicamentos que no necesita en el Punto SIGRE de la farmacia. Pregunte a su farmacéutico cómo deshacerse de los envases y los medicamentos que ya no necesita. De esta forma, ayudará a proteger el medio ambiente.
Composición de Fingolimod Aurovitas
Contenido de la cápsula:maltodextrina, talco, fumarato de estearilo y sodio.
Componentes de la cápsula:
Aspecto del producto y contenido del envase
Cápsula de gelatina dura de tamaño “3”, con la tapa amarilla brillante y el cuerpo gris, con “FGL 05” impreso en la tapa con tinta negra, rellena con un polvo blanco o blanquecino.
Fingolimod Aurovitas 0,5 mg está disponible en envases blíster con 7, 28, 56, 84 y 98 cápsulas duras y en envase blíster unidosis perforado con 28 × 1 cápsulas duras.
Puede que solamente estén comercializados algunos tamaños de envase.
Titular de la autorización de comercialización y responsable de la fabricación
Titular de la autorización de comercialización
Aurovitas Spain, S.A.U.
Avda. de Burgos, 16-D
28036 Madrid
España
Responsable de la fabricación
APL Swift Services (Malta) Limited
HF26, Hal Far Industrial Estate, Hal Far
Birzebbugia, BBG 3000
Malta
O
Generis Farmacêutica, S.A.
Rua João de Deus, 19
2700-487 Amadora
Portugal
O
Arrow Génériques
26 Avenue Tony Garnier
69007 Lyon
Francia
Este medicamento está autorizado en los estados miembros del Espacio Económico Europeo con los siguientes nombres:
Alemania: Fingolimod PUREN 0,5 mg Hartkapseln
Bélgica: Fingolimod AB 0,5 mg harde capsules/gélules/ Hartkapseln
España: Fingolimod Aurovitas 0,5 mg cápsulas duras EFG
Francia: Fingolimod Arrow 0,5 mg, gélule
Italia: Fingolimod Aurobindo
Países Bajos: Fingolimod Aurobindo 0,5mg, harde capsules
Polonia: Fingolimod Aurovitas
Portugal: Fingolimod Generis
Fecha de la última revisión de este prospecto:mayo de 2025
La información detallada de este medicamento está disponible en la página web de la Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS) (http://www.aemps.gob.es/).