Package Leaflet: Information for the User
Fingolimod Tarbis 0.25 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 Tarbis
The active substance 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 (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), consisting 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 some 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 the nerve damage attributed to multiple sclerosis. Fingolimod also reduces some of the immune responses of 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 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 when changing 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 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 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 this medication or after taking the first dose of 0.5 mg when changing from a daily dose of 0.25 mg, so that appropriate measures can be taken in case of adverse effects that appear at the start of treatment. You will 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 resuming this medication after a pause in treatment, depending on both 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 or abnormal 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 suffered from sudden fainting in the past or a slow 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 nighttime monitoring.
If you are taking other medications that can slow your heart rate, this medication may not be suitable for you. It is necessary for a cardiologist to evaluate you and determine if you can switch to alternative medications that do not slow the heart rate to allow treatment with this medication. If such a change is not possible, the cardiologist will advise you on how to start treatment with this medication, 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 this medication. If so, your doctor will delay the start of treatment with this medication 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 this medication (and up to two months after stopping 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.
If you think your MS is getting worse (e.g., weakness or vision changes) or if you notice any new symptoms, tell 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 assess the need for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to evaluate 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 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 check-ups.
Macular edema
Before starting treatment with fingolimod, 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 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 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. The 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 in an MS attack (optic neuritis). At first, you may not have symptoms. It is necessary that you 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 tone 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 interrupt treatment with fingolimod 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 within two months after stopping treatment. If you need to have blood tests, inform your doctor that you are taking fingolimod, as they may not understand the results of the tests otherwise. For certain blood tests, your doctor may need 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 interrupt treatment with this medication.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)
A rare condition called 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 because it can be serious.
Cancer
There have been reports of skin cancer in MS patients treated with fingolimod. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any nodules on the 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 for 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.
There have been reports of a type of cancer of the lymphatic system (lymphoma) 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
There have been reports of rare cases of large and unusual brain lesions associated with MS relapses in patients treated with fingolimod. In the case of severe relapses, your doctor will assess the need for a magnetic resonance imaging (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 of time 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 take 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 two 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 (see section 3 "If you stop taking fingolimod" and also section 4 "Possible side effects").
Elderly
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:
Treatment with fingolimod will be supervised by a doctor with experience in treating multiple sclerosis.
Follow your doctor's instructions for taking this medication exactly. If you are unsure, 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 should always be swallowed whole, without opening them. You can take fingolimod with or without food. Taking fingolimod at the same time every day 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 Toxicology 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 you forget to take 1 dose during a whole day, talk to your doctor before taking the next dose. Your doctor may decide to keep you under observation when you take the next dose.
If you have been taking fingolimod for at least 1 month and you have forgotten 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 when you take the next dose. However, if you have forgotten 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 make up for forgotten doses.
If you stop taking fingolimod
Do not stop taking fingolimod or change the dose you should take without discussing it with your doctor first.
Fingolimod will remain in your body for up to 2 months after stopping treatment. The number of white blood cells in your blood (lymphocyte count) may remain low during this period, and it is possible that side effects may still occur. After stopping treatment with fingolimod, you may have to wait for 6-8 weeks before starting a new treatment with another medication.
If you need to restart treatment with fingolimod after a pause of more than 2 weeks, the effect on heart rate that may occur at the start of treatment may recur, and you will need to be monitored in the doctor's office to restart treatment. Do not restart treatment with fingolimod after interrupting it for more than 2 weeks without consulting your doctor first.
Your doctor will decide if it is necessary to monitor you after stopping treatment with fingolimod and how to do it. Inform your doctor immediately if you think your multiple sclerosis is getting worse after stopping treatment with fingolimod, as it could be serious.
If you have any other questions about using this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medications, this medication can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Some side effects may 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 any of the side effects you are experiencing to be serious, inform your doctor.
Reporting Side Effects
Reporting Side Effects If you experience any side effects, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if they are possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Medicines Surveillance System for Human Use: www.notificaRAM.es. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medication.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date shown on the packaging and on the aluminum blister 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 tampering.
Medications should not be thrown down the drain or into the trash. Deposit the packaging and medications you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point in the pharmacy. If you have any doubts, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medications you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Fingolimod Tarbis
Capusle content: powdered cellulose (E460), titanium dioxide (E171), magnesium stearate.
Capusle shell: gelatin, yellow iron oxide (E172), titanium dioxide (E171), sodium lauryl sulfate.
Black ink: shellac, propylene glycol (E1520), black iron oxide (E172), strong ammonia solution, potassium hydroxide.
Blue ink: shellac, propylene glycol (E1520), strong ammonia solution, indigo carmine (E132).
Appearance of the Product and Package Contents
Fingolimod Tarbis 0.25mg hard capsules are presented in hard gelatin capsules of size '4', ivory-colored, 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 packs and peelable blister packs.
Packages containing 28 capsules and unit-dose blister packs containing 28 x 1 capsules.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Tarbis Farma, S.L.
Gran Vía Carlos III, 94
08028 Barcelona
Spain
Manufacturer
Amarox Pharma B.V.
Rouboslaan 32
Voorschoten, 2252TR
Netherlands
This medication is authorized in the Member States of the European Economic Area under the following names:
Germany: Fingolimod Amarox 0.25 mg hard capsules
Spain: Fingolimod Tarbis 0.25 mg hard capsules EFG
Date of the last revision of this leaflet: July 2022
Detailed information about this medication is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/