Prospect: information for the user
Fingolimod Kern Pharma 0.5mg hard EFG capsules
Read this prospect carefully before starting to take this medicine, because it contains important information for you.
1.What is Fingolimod Kern Pharma and for what it is used
2.What you need to know before starting to take Fingolimod Kern Pharma
3.How to take Fingolimod Kern Pharma
4.Possible adverse effects
5.Storage of Fingolimod Kern Pharma
6.Contents of the package and additional information
What isFingolimod Kern Pharma
The active ingredient is fingolimod.
What is fingolimod used for
Fingolimod is used in adults, children, and adolescents (10 years of age and older) to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (EM), particularly in:
-Patients who do not respond to treatment despite treatment for EM.
or
-Patients who rapidly develop severe EM.
Fingolimod does not cure EM, but it helps to reduce the number of relapses and slow down the progression of physical disabilities due to EM.
What is multiple sclerosis
EM is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord. In EM, 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 EM 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 does fingolimod work
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 to take fingolimod:
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, 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 have a decrease in blood pressure.If these effects are severe, inform your doctor as you may need immediate treatment.Fingolimod can also make your heartbeats irregular, especially after the first dose. Irregular heartbeats usually normalize within a day. The slow heart rate usually normalizes within a month.During this period, you can generally not expect any 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 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, to take the necessary measures if any adverse effects 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 restarting 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 a heart disease or heart failure, fingolimod may not be suitable for you.
If you have had sudden fainting spells in the past or a decrease in 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, fingolimod may not be suitable for you. It is necessary for a cardiologist to evaluate you, and it is they who will decide if you can change to alternative medications that do not slow your heart rate to allow treatment with fingolimod. If this change is impossible, the cardiologist will advise you on how to start treatment with fingolimod, 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 fingolimod 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 fingolimod (and for up to two months after stopping treatment), you may be more susceptible to infections. You may even exacerbate 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 infection or the herpes virus), contact your doctor immediately as it can be severe and life-threatening.
Si think your MS is worsening (e.g., weakness or changes in vision) 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 to assess your condition and decide if you need to stop taking fingolimod.
There have been reports of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, including papilloma, dysplasia, warts, and cancer associated with HPV, 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, your doctor may request that you have an eye examination if you have or have had visual disturbances or other signs of inflammation in the central vision area (the macula) of the back of the eye, uveitis, or diabetes.
After starting treatment with fingolimod, your doctor may request that you have an eye examination 3 or 4 months after starting 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 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 havediabetesor have had uveitis, you are more likely to develop macular edema. In these cases, your doctor will want to have regular eye checks to detect macular edema.
If you have had macular edema, consult your doctor before continuing treatment with fingolimod.
A macular edema can cause the same visual symptoms as an MS attack (optic neuritis). At first, you may not have any symptoms. It is necessary to communicate any changes you notice in your vision to your doctor. 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 perceive 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 have 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 if the test results indicate a liver problem.
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 two 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 that 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 fingolimod.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)
Rarely, a condition called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) 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 new skin nodules (e.g., shiny nodules with a pearl-like appearance), moles, or open sores 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, 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 you need regular follow-up visits.
In patients with MS who have been treated with fingolimod, a type of lymphoma has been reported.
Exposure to the sun 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 to assess your condition and decide if you need to stop taking fingolimod.
Changing other treatments to fingolimod
Your doctor may change directly from interferon beta, glatiramer acetate, or dimethyl fumarate to fingolimod if there are no signs of abnormalities caused by the previous treatment. Your doctor may need to perform a blood test to rule out these abnormalities. After stopping natalizumab, you may need to wait2-3 months before starting treatment with fingolimod. To change from teriflunomide, your doctor may advise you to wait or undergo accelerated elimination. If you have been treated with alemtuzumab, a thorough evaluation is required, and you should discuss this 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 have a pregnancy test to ensure you are not pregnant. Your doctor will give you a card explaining why you should not become pregnant while taking fingolimod. They will also explain 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").
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.
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 treatment with fingolimod,” and also section 4, "Possible side effects").
Older patients
The experience with fingolimod in older 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, or if you think you may be pregnant, consult your doctor before using this medication.
Pregnancy
Do not use fingolimod during pregnancy, or if you are planning to become pregnant,or if you are a woman who may become pregnant and do not use an effective contraceptive method. If fingolimodis used during pregnancy, there is a risk of harm to the fetus. The rate of congenital malformations observed in babies exposed to fingolimod during pregnancy is approximately 2 more 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:
- before starting treatment with fingolimod, your doctor will inform you about the risk to the fetus and ask you to have a pregnancy test to ensure you are not pregnant
and
- during treatment with fingolimod and for two months after stopping treatment, you must use an effective contraceptive method to avoid becoming pregnant. Discuss contraceptive options with your doctor.
Breastfeeding
During treatment with fingolimod, you should not breastfeed. Fingolimod passes into breast milk and there is a risk of severe adverse effects in the baby.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
Driving and operating machinery
Your doctor will inform you if your condition allows you to drive vehicles, including bicycles, and use machines safely. Fingolimod 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 Kern Pharma contains sodium
This medication contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per capsule, which is essentially "sodium-free".
The treatment with fingolimod will be supervised by a doctor with experience in treating 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 one capsule of 0.5mg per day.
Children and adolescents (10 years of age and older):
The dose depends on body weight:.
Fingolimod Kern Pharma 0.5 mg hard capsules are not suitable for pediatric patients with a body weight ≤ 40 kg.Other medications containing fingolimod are available in a lower concentration (such as 0.25mg capsules).
To children and adolescents who start with one capsule of 0.25 mg per day and later reach a stable weight greater than 40 kg, the doctor will instruct them to change to one capsule of 0.5 mg per day. In this case, it is recommended to repeat the observation period of the first dose.
Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Fingolimod is used orally.
Take fingolimod once a day with a glass of water.Fingolimod capsules must always be swallowed whole, without opening them.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 fingolimod, 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 immediatelyor call the Toxicological Information Service, phone 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount ingested.
If you forget to take Fingolimod Kern Pharma
If you have been taking fingolimod for less than 1month and forget to take 1dose 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 1month and have forgotten to take your treatment for more than 2weeks, 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 have forgotten to take your treatment for a period of up to 2weeks, you can take the next dose as planned.
Never take a double dose to compensate for missed doses.
If you interrupt treatment with Fingolimod Kern Pharma
Do not stop taking fingolimod or change the dose you should take without discussing it first with your doctor.
Fingolimod will remain in your body for up to two months after treatment is stopped. The number of white blood cells in your blood (lymphocyte count) may remain low during this period and it is possible that the adverse effects described in this leaflet will still occur. After stopping treatment with fingolimod, you may need to wait 6‑8weeks before starting a new treatment for MS.
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 start of treatment may recur and you will need to be monitored by your doctor to resume treatment. Do not restart treatment with fingolimod after stopping it for more than two weeks without consulting your doctor.
Your doctor will decide if you need to be followed up after stopping treatment with fingolimod and how.Inform your doctor immediately if you think your MS is worsening after stopping 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 medicinecan 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 10people):
Uncommon(may affect up to 1in 100people):
Rare(may affect up to 1in 1,000people):
Very rare(may affect up to 1 in 10,000people):
-Electrocardiogram anomaly (T wave inversion)
-Kaposi's sarcoma (a type of cancer related to human herpesvirus 8 infection)
Frequency not known(cannot be estimated from available data):
-Allergic reactions, including symptoms such as rash or urticaria with itching, swelling of lips, tongue, or face, which is more likely to occur on the day treatment with fingolimod begins
-Risk of a rare brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Symptoms of PML can be similar to those of MS. You may also experience symptoms that you may not notice yourself, such as changes in mood or behavior, memory loss, difficulty speaking and communicating, which your doctor may need to investigate further to rule out PML. Therefore, if you think your MS is getting worse or if you or people close to you notice any new or unusual symptoms, it is very important to inform your doctor as soon as possible
-Cryptococcal infections (a type of fungal infection), including cryptococcal meningitis with symptoms such as headache accompanied by neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, nausea, and/or confusion
-Merkel cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer). Possible signs of Merkel cell carcinoma include the formation of a painless, red or pinkish-blue nodule, usually on the face, head, or neck. Merkel cell carcinoma can also present as a firm or soft nodule or mass. Long-term exposure to sunlight and a weakened immune system can affect the risk of developing Merkel cell carcinoma
-After stopping treatment with fingolimod, MS symptoms may return and may be worse than before or during treatment.
-Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells) where red blood cells are destroyed.
If you experience any of these symptoms,inform your doctor immediately.
Other side effects
Very common(may affect more than 1in 10people):
Common(may affect up to 1in 10people):
Uncommon(may affect up to 1in 100people):
Rare(may affect up to 1in 1,000people):
Frequency not known(cannot be estimated from available data):
-Peripheral inflammation
If you consider that any of theside effectsyou experience are serious,inform your doctor.
Reporting side effects
If you experienceany type of side effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is apossibleside effect that does not appear in this leaflet.You can also report them directly through theSpanish 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.
Medications should not be disposed ofthrough drains or in the trash.Deposit the packaging and medications you no longer need at the SIGREpoint of the pharmacy.Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medications you no longer need. In this way, you will help protect the environment.
Composition of Fingolimod Kern Pharma
The active ingredient is fingolimod.
Content of the capsule: calcium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium croscarmellose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and magnesium stearate
Capsule coating: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), yellow iron oxide (E172).
Printing ink: shellac (E904) resin, propylene glycol (E1520), concentrated ammonia solution, black iron oxide (E172), potassium hydroxide.
Appearance of the product and content of the packaging
Hard gelatin capsules with an opaque yellow cap and an opaque white body; with a black printing mark «FD 0.5mg» on the cap.
Fingolimod0.5mg capsulesare available in packaging containing 28 capsules.
Marketing authorization holder
Kern Pharma, S.L.
Venus, 72 - Pol. Ind. Colón II
08228 Terrassa - Barcelona
Spain
Responsible for manufacturing
Genepharm S.A
18thkm Marathonos Avenue,
153 51 Pallini Attiki
Greece
Last review date of this leaflet: June 2021
Detailed and updated information on this medication is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS)http://www.aemps.gob.es/.
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