Leaflet: information for the user
Fingolimod Tarbis 0.25 mg hard capsules EFG
Read this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, because it contains important information for you.
1. What Fingolimod Tarbis is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you start taking Fingolimod Tarbis
3. How to take Fingolimod Tarbis
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Fingolimod Tarbis
6. Contents of the pack and additional information
What is Fingolimod Tarbis
The active ingredient of this medication is fingolimod.
What is Fingolimod Tarbis used for
This medication is used in adults and in children and adolescents (10 years of age and older) to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) (that occurs with relapses), particularly in:
or
Fingolimod does not cure RRMS, but it helps to reduce the number of relapses and slow down the progression of physical disabilities due to RRMS.
What is multiple sclerosis
RRMS is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord. In RRMS, inflammation destroys the protective covering (called myelin) that surrounds the nerves in the CNS and prevents nerves from functioning properly. This process is called demyelination.
Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is characterized by repeated attacks (relapses) of CNS symptoms that are a reflection of the inflammation that occurs in the CNS. Symptoms vary from patient to patient, but generally include difficulties walking, numbness in some part of the body (tingling), vision problems, or balance disorders. Symptoms of a relapse may disappear completely when the relapse ends, but some problems may persist.
How Fingolimod works
Fingolimod helps combat the attacks of the immune system 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 of the body.
Do not take fingolimod
If any of the above cases apply to you or you are unsure,inform your doctor before taking fingolimod.
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor before starting this medication:
If any of the above cases apply to you or you are unsure,inform 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 when switching from a daily dose of 0.25 mg, fingolimod causes a decrease in heart rate. As a result, you may feel dizzy or tired, be aware of your heartbeat, or have a decrease in blood pressure.If these effects are severe, inform your doctor immediately, as you may need emergency treatment. Fingolimod can also make your heartbeats irregular, especially after the first dose. Irregular heartbeats usually normalize within a day. Slow heart rate usually normalizes within a month. During this period, you can generally expect no clinically significant heart rate effects.
Your doctor will ask you to stay in the consultation or hospital for at least 6 hours, with pulse and blood pressure checks every hour, after taking the first dose of this medication or after taking the first dose of 0.5 mg when switching from a daily dose of 0.25 mg, to take appropriate measures if adverse effects appear at the start of treatment. You will need to have an electrocardiogram before the first dose of this medication 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 restarting this medication after a pause in treatment, depending on the duration of the pause and how long you were taking this medication before the pause.
If you have or are at risk of having irregular heartbeats, if your electrocardiogram is abnormal, or if you have heart disease or heart failure, this medication may not be suitable for you.
If you have had sudden fainting episodes in the past or decreased heart rate, 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 monitoring during the night.
If you are taking other medications that can slow your heart rate, this medication may not be suitable for you. A cardiologist will evaluate you, and it will be up to them to decide if you can switch to alternative medications that do not slow your heart rate to allow treatment with this medication. If this change is impossible, the cardiologist will advise you on how to start treatment with this medication, including monitoring during the night.
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, your doctor will probably delay starting treatment with this medication for a 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 this medication (and for up to 2 months after stopping treatment), you may be more susceptible to infections. You may even experience a worsening of an existing infection. Infections can be severe and potentially life-threatening. If you think you have contracted an infection, have a fever, have symptoms similar to the flu, have herpes (cold sore) or have a headache accompanied by neck stiffness, 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, as it can be severe and life-threatening.
If you think your MS is worsening (e.g., weakness or visual changes) or if you notice any new symptoms, inform your doctor immediately, as they may be symptoms of a rare brain disorder caused by an infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is a serious disease that can cause severe disability or death. Your doctor will evaluate the need for an MRI scan to assess your condition and decide if you need to stop taking this medication.
There have been reports of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, including papilloma, dysplasia, warts, and HPV-associated cancer, in patients treated with fingolimod. Your doctor will evaluate if you need to be vaccinated against HPV before starting treatment. If you are a woman, your doctor will also recommend HPV screening.
Macular edema
Before starting treatment with fingolimod, if you have or have had eye problems or other signs of inflammation in the central vision area (macula) of the back of the eye, eye inflammation or infection (uveitis), or diabetes, your doctor may request an eye examination.
After starting treatment with fingolimod, your doctor may request an eye examination 3 or 4 months after starting treatment.
The macula is a small area of the retina at the back of the eye that allows you to see shapes, colors, and details clearly and clearly. 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 diabetes or have had eye inflammation known as uveitis, you are more likely to develop macular edema. In these cases, your doctor will want to perform 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 an MS attack (optic neuritis). At first, you may not have any symptoms. You must 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, do 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, abnormally dark urine (brown), abdominal pain on the right side, fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, or vomiting without apparent cause,inform your doctor immediately.
If you experience any of these symptoms after starting treatment with fingolimod,inform your doctor immediately.
Before, during, and after treatment, your doctor will request blood tests to monitor your liver function. You may need to stop treatment with fingolimod if your test results indicate liver problems.
High blood pressure
As fingolimod causes a slight increase in blood pressure, your doctor will want to monitor your blood pressure 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 within 2 months after stopping treatment. If you need to have blood tests, inform your doctor that you are taking fingolimod, as if you do not, the doctor may not understand the test results. For certain blood tests, your doctor may need to take more blood than usual.
Before starting treatment with fingolimod, your doctor will confirm if you have enough white blood cells in your blood and may want to repeat the checks regularly. If you do not have enough white blood cells, you may need to stop treatment with this medication.
Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS)
Rarely, a condition called reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) has been described in patients with MS treated with fingolimod. Symptoms may include sudden and intense headache, confusion, seizures, and changes in vision. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with fingolimod, as it can be severe.
Cancer
In patients with MS who have been treated with fingolimod, cases of skin cancer have been reported. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any nodules on your skin (e.g., shiny nodules that resemble pearls), spots, or open wounds that do not heal within weeks. Symptoms of skin cancer may 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, your doctor will require a skin examination to check if you have any nodules on your skin. Your doctor will also perform regular skin checks during treatment with fingolimod. If you notice any skin problems, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist, who may decide if you need regular follow-up visits.
In patients with MS who have been treated with fingolimod, a type of lymphatic system cancer (lymphoma) has been reported.
Sun exposure and sun protection
Fingolimod weakens your immune system, increasing 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 evaluate the need for an MRI scan to assess 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 abnormalities caused by previous treatment. Your doctor may need to perform a blood test to rule out these 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 or undergo accelerated elimination. If you have been treated with alemtuzumab, you will need a thorough evaluation and discuss it with your doctor to decide if fingolimod is suitable for you.
Women of childbearing potential
If fingolimod is used during pregnancy, it may be harmful to the fetus. Before starting treatment with fingolimod, your doctor will explain the risks and ask you to undergo a pregnancy test to ensure you are not pregnant.
During treatment with fingolimod and for 2 months after stopping treatment, you must use an effective contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy. Your doctor will give you a card explaining why you should not become pregnant while taking this medication and what you should do to avoid becoming pregnant while taking fingolimod.
Worsening of MS after stopping fingolimod treatment
Do not stop taking fingolimod or change the dose your doctor has prescribed without discussing it with your doctor first.
Inform your doctor immediately if you think your MS is worsening after stopping treatment with fingolimod, as it can be severe (see section 3 "If you stop taking fingolimod" and also section 4 "Possible side effects").
Older adults
The experience with fingolimod in patients over 65 years old is limited. If you have any doubts, 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
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or may need to take any other medication. Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor before using this medication.
Pregnancy
Do not use fingolimod during pregnancy, or if you plan to become pregnant, or if you are a woman who may become pregnant and do not use an effective contraceptive method. If fingolimod is used during pregnancy, there is a risk of harming the fetus. The rate of congenital malformations observed in babies exposed to fingolimod during pregnancy is approximately 2 times higher than that observed in the general population (where the rate of congenital malformations is approximately 2-3%). The most frequently reported malformations included heart, kidney, and musculoskeletal malformations.
Therefore, if you are a woman of childbearing potential:
and,
Card given to you by your doctor.
If you become pregnant while taking fingolimod, inform your doctor immediately. Your doctor will decide to stop treatment (see section 3 "If you stop taking fingolimod" and also section 4 "Possible side effects"). You will undergo specific prenatal monitoring.
Breastfeeding
Do not breastfeed during treatment with fingolimod. Fingolimod passes into breast milk, and there is a risk of severe adverse effects in the baby.
Driving and operating machinery
Your doctor will inform you if your condition allows you to drive vehicles, including bicycles, and use machines safely. This medication is not expected to affect your ability to drive and use machines.
However, after taking the first dose of fingolimod, you will need to stay in the consultation or hospital for at least 6 hours. During this period and possibly afterwards, your ability to drive and use machines may be impaired.
Fingolimod Tarbis contains sodium
This medication contains less than 23 mg of sodium (1 mmol) per capsule; it is essentially "sodium-free".
The treatment with fingolimod will be supervised by a doctor with experience in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Follow exactly the administration instructions of this medication indicated by your doctor. In case of doubt, consult your doctor again.
The recommended dose is:
Adults:
The dose is 0.5 mg of fingolimod per day.
Children and adolescents (10 years of age and older):
The dose depends on body weight:
Do not exceed the recommended dose.
This medication is taken orally.
Take this medication once a day with a glass of water. The capsules of this medication must always be swallowed whole, without opening. You can take fingolimod with or without food. Taking fingolimod every day at the same time will help you remember when to take the medication.
If you have doubts about the duration of treatment with this medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take more fingolimod than you should
If you have taken more Fingolimod than you should, inform your doctor immediately.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist or call the Toxicological Information Service, phone: 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount ingested.
If you forget to take fingolimod
If you have been taking fingolimod for less than 1 month and forget to take 1 dose for an entire day, talk to your doctor before taking 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 forget to take your treatment for more than 2 weeks, talk to your doctor before taking the next dose. Your doctor may decide to keep you under observation at the time you take the next dose. However, if you forget to take your treatment for a period of up to 2 weeks, you can take the next dose as planned.
Do not take a double dose to compensate for the missed doses.
If you interrupt the treatment with fingolimod
Do not stop taking fingolimod or change the dose you should take without consulting your doctor first.
Fingolimod will remain in your body for up to two months after treatment interruption. The number of white blood cells in the blood (lymphocyte count) may remain low during this period and it is possible that the adverse effects described in this prospectus will still occur. After interrupting treatment with fingolimod, you may need to wait 6-8 weeks before starting a new treatment with EM.
If you need to resume treatment with fingolimod after a pause of more than two weeks, the effect on heart rhythm that may occur at the beginning of treatment may repeat and you will need to be monitored in the medical consultation to restart treatment. Do not restart treatment with fingolimod after interrupting it for more than two weeks without consulting your doctor.
Your doctor will decide if you need to be followed up after interrupting treatment with fingolimod and how. Inform your doctor immediately if you think your MS is worsening after interrupting treatment with fingolimod, as it could be serious.
If you have any other doubts about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Some side effects can be serious or potentially 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):
Frequency not known(cannot be estimated from available data):
If you experience any of these symptoms,inform your doctor immediately.
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):
Frequency not known(cannot be estimated from available data):
If you consider that any of the side effects you are experiencing are serious,inform your doctor.
Reporting side effects
Reporting side effects If you experience any type of side effect, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if it is a possible side effect that does not appear in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for the Pharmacovigilance of Medicines for Human Use: www.notificaRAM.es. By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the packaging and on the aluminum blister pack after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Store below 30°C.
Do not use any packaging that is damaged or shows signs of having been manipulated.
Medications should not be disposed of through drains or in the trash. Dispose of packaging and medications you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point at the pharmacy. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unused packaging and medications. By doing so, you will help protect the environment.
Composition of Fingolimod Tarbis
Hard capsule content: powdered cellulose (E460), titanium dioxide (E171), magnesium stearate.
Hard capsule coating: gelatin, yellow iron oxide (E172), titanium dioxide (E171), sodium lauryl sulfate.
Black printing ink: shellac, propylene glycol (E1520), black iron oxide (E172), strong ammonia solution, potassium hydroxide.
Blue printing ink: shellac, propylene glycol (E1520), strong ammonia solution, carmine of indigo (E132).
Appearance of the product and content of the container
Fingolimod Tarbis 0.25mg hard capsules are presented in hard gelatin capsules of size '4', ivory color, with opaque cap and body, with the imprint 'H' on the cap with black ink and 'F10' on the body with blue ink.
Fingolimod Tarbis is available in blister pack and peelable blister pack.
Containers containing 28 capsules and in blister pack with perforated single-dose units containing 28 x 1 capsules.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Tarbis Farma, S.L.
Gran Vía Carlos III, 94
08028 Barcelona
Spain
Responsible for manufacturing
Amarox Pharma B.V.
Rouboslaan 32
Voorschoten, 2252TR
Netherlands
This medicine is authorized in the member states of the European Economic Area with the following names:
Germany:Fingolimod Amarox 0.25 mg Hartkapseln
Spain:Fingolimod Tarbis 0.25 mg hard capsules EFG
Last review date of this leaflet: July 2022
Further information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.