Package Leaflet: Information for the User
Fingolimod Kern Pharma 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 Kern Pharma
The active ingredient is fingolimod.
What fingolimod is used for
Fingolimod is used in adults, 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, preventing 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 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 nerve damage attributed to multiple sclerosis. Fingolimod also reduces some of the immune responses in your body.
Do not take fingolimod
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 before starting to take fingolimod:
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 immediately, as you may need immediate treatment.Fingolimod can also cause irregular heartbeats, especially after the first dose. Irregular heartbeats usually normalize in less than a day. The slow heart rate usually normalizes 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 will need to 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 suffered from 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 nighttime 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 change is not possible, the cardiologist will advise you on how to start treatment with fingolimod, including nighttime 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 you stop treatment), you may be more likely to get infections. You may even have a worsening of an infection you already have. 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 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 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 discontinued. Some people have an inflammatory reaction when fingolimod is eliminated from the body. This reaction (known as immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome or IRIS) can cause a worsening of your disease, including a 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 (the macula) of the eye, an eye infection (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 condition is known as macular edema. Inflammation usually occurs within the first four months of treatment with fingolimod.
If you have diabetesor 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 in an MS attack (optic neuritis). At first, you may not have symptoms. You need to tell your doctor about 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-colored), 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 normalizes during the 2 months after stopping treatment. If you need to have blood tests, tell 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 condition known as posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) has been rarely reported in patients with MS 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 patients with MS treated with fingolimod. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any nodules on your skin (e.g., shiny nodules with a pearl-like appearance), 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 nodules on your skin. 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 patients with MS 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 for 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").
MS worsening 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(section 3 "If you stop treatment with fingolimod" 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
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:
No tome Fingolimod Kern Pharma
Advertencias y precauciones
Antes de tomar Fingolimod Kern Pharma, informe a su médico si:
Uso de otros medicamentos
Algunos medicamentos pueden interactuar con Fingolimod Kern Pharma o aumentar el riesgo de efectos adversos.
Embarazo y lactancia
Si está embarazada o en periodo de lactancia, cree que podría estar embarazada o tiene intención de quedarse embarazada, consulte a su médico antes de utilizar este medicamento.
Embarazo
No use 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 daño en el feto. La tasa de malformaciones congénitas observadas en bebés expuestos a fingolimod durante el embarazo es aproximadamente 2 más que la observada en la población general (donde la tasa de malformaciones congénitas es aproximadamente del 2-3%). Las malformaciones notificadas más frecuentemente incluyeron malformaciones cardíacas, renales y musculoesqueléticas.
Por ello, si usted es una mujer en edad fértil:
y
Su médico le dará 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” 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 periodo de tiempo y puede que después, su habilidad para conducir y utilizar máquinas podría verse alterada.
Fingolimod Kern Pharma 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 0,5mg al día.
Niños y adolescentes (de 10 años de edad y en adelante):
La dosis depende del peso corporal:.
Fingolimod Kern Pharma 0,5 mg cápsulas duras no son adecuadas para pacientes pediátricos con un peso corporal ≤ 40 kg. Otros medicamentos que contienen fingolimod están disponibles en una concentración menor (como cápsulas de 0,25 mg).
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 periodo de observación de la primera dosis.
No exceda la dosis recomendada.
Fingolimod se usa 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. Puede tomar fingolimod 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 del que debe
Si ha tomado más fingolimod de lo que debiera, informe a su médico inmediatamente o llame al Servicio de Información Toxicológica, teléfono 91 562 04 20, indicando el medicamento y la cantidad ingerida.
Si olvidó tomar Fingolimod Kern Pharma
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 el 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 el que tome la siguiente dosis. Sin embargo, si se ha olvidado de tomar su tratamiento durante un periodo 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 Kern Pharma
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 con EM.
Si debe reanudar el tratamiento con fingolimod tras una pausa de más de dos semanas, el efecto sobre el ritmo cardíaco 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 1 de cada 10 pacientes):
Poco frecuentes(pueden afectar hasta 1 de cada 100 pacientes):
Raros(pueden afectar hasta 1 de cada 1.000 pacientes):
Muy raros(pueden afectar hasta 1 de cada 10.000 pacientes):
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 pacientes):
Frecuentes(pueden afectar hasta 1 de cada 10 pacientes):
Poco frecuentes(pueden afectar hasta 1 de cada 100 personas):
Raros(pueden afectar hasta 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.
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 de los medicamentos que ya no necesita. De esta forma, ayudará a proteger el medio ambiente.
Composición de Fingolimod Kern Pharma
El principio activo es fingolimod.
Contenido de la cápsula: hidrogeno fosfato de calcio dihidrato, croscarmelosa de sodio, hidroxipropil celulosa y estearato de magnesio
Cubierta de la cápsula: gelatina, dióxido de titanio (E171), óxido de hierro amarillo (E172).
Tinta de impresión: goma laca shellac (E904), propilenglicol (E1520), solución de amonio concentrado, óxido de hierro negro (E172), hidróxido de potasio.
Aspecto del producto y contenido del envase
Cápsulas de gelatina duras con una tapa opaca de color amarillo y un cuerpo opaco de color blanco; con una marca de impresión negra «FD 0.5 mg» en la tapa.
Fingolimod 0,5 mg cápsulas está disponible en envases conteniendo 28 cápsulas.
Titular de la autorización de comercialización
Kern Pharma, S.L.
Venus, 72 - Pol. Ind. Colón II
08228 Terrassa - Barcelona
España
Responsable de la fabricación
Genepharm S.A
18th km Marathonos Avenue,
153 51 Pallini Attiki
Grecia
Fecha de la última revisión de este prospecto:Agosto 2025
La información detallada y actualizada de este medicamento está disponible en la página Web de la Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS)http://www.aemps.gob.es/.
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