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 (MS), particularly in:
or
Fingolimod does not cure MS, but it helps to reduce the number of relapses and slow down 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 covering (called myelin) that surrounds the nerves in the CNS and prevents nerves from functioning correctly. This process is called demyelination.
Relapsing-remitting MS 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 Tarbis works
Fingolimod helps to 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 MS. Fingolimod also reduces some of the body's immune responses.
Do not take Fingolimod Tarbis
If any of the above cases apply to you,inform your doctor without taking Fingolimod Tarbis.
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor before starting to take this medication:
If any of the above cases apply to you or you are unsure,inform your doctor before taking Fingolimod Tarbis.
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 changed the previous dose of 0.25 mg once a day using another medication that contains fingolimod, which are available in lower resistance, 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, inform your doctor or you may need immediate 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 not expect any clinically significant heart rate effects.
Your doctor will ask you to stay in the consultation or hospital for a minimum of 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, in the case that you have changed the previous dose of 0.25 mg once a day, using another medication that contains fingolimod, which are available in lower resistance, to take the necessary measures in case of adverse effects that 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 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 heartbeats or abnormalities, if your electrocardiogram is abnormal, or if you have a heart disease or heart failure, this medication may not be suitable for you.
If you have had sudden fainting spells in the past or decreased heart rate, Fingolimod Tarbis 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. It is necessary for a cardiologist to evaluate you, and it is they who will decide if you can switch to alternative medications that do not slow your heart rate to allow treatment with this medication. If the aforementioned 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 the blood (especially the number of lymphocytes). White blood cells fight infections. During treatment with this medication (and for up to two months after stopping treatment), you may be more susceptible to infections. You may even have 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 infection or herpes virus), contact your doctor immediately because it can be severe and life-threatening. If you 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 a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to assess your condition and decide if you need to stop taking this medication.
A human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, including papilloma, dysplasia, warts, and cancer associated with HPV, has been reported 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 (macula) of the back of the eye, eye inflammation or infection (uveitis), or diabetes.
After starting treatment with Fingolimod, your doctor may request that you have 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 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 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 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 have an eye examination, especially if:
-the center of your visual field becomes blurry or contains shadows;
-a blind spot appears in the center of your visual field;
-you have trouble seeing colors or small details.
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 tone of the skin or the white part of the 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 results of your blood tests indicate a liver problem.
High blood pressure
As Fingolimod causes a slight increase in blood pressure, your doctor will want to regularly monitor your blood pressure.
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 results of the blood tests. 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.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)
Rarely, a condition called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) has been described in patients with multiple sclerosis 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
Cases of skin cancer have been reported in patients with MS who have been treated with fingolimod. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any nodules on your skin (e.g. shiny nodules with a pearl-like appearance), 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 over time change color, shape, or size. Before starting treatment with Fingolimod, you will need a skin examination to check if you have any nodules on your skin. Your doctor will also want to have 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 visits.
Cases of lymphoma, a type of cancer of the lymphatic system, have been reported in patients with MS who have been treated with Fingolimod.
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 scan to assess your condition and decide if you need to stop taking Fingolimod.
Switching from other treatments to Fingolimod Tarbis
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 have 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 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 this medication. 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 "Pregnancy and breastfeeding").
Worsening of MS after stopping treatment with Fingolimod Tarbis
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 Tarbis" 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 Tarbis
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 a woman of childbearing potential and do not use an effective contraceptive method. If Fingolimod is used during pregnancy, there is a risk of causing harm to the fetus. The rate of congenital malformations observed in babies exposed to Fingolimod during pregnancy is approximately twice that of 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,
Your doctor will give you a card explaining why you should not become pregnant while taking this medication.
If you become pregnant while taking Fingolimod Tarbis, inform your doctor immediately.Your doctor will decide to stop treatment (see section 3 "If you stop taking Fingolimod Tarbis" and also section 4 "Possible side effects"). You will have a specific prenatal follow-up.
Breastfeeding
Do not breastfeedwhile taking Fingolimod Tarbis. 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. Fingolimod is not expected to have an impact on your ability to drive and use machines.
However, after taking the first dose of Fingolimod Tarbis, you will need to stay in the consultation or hospital for 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; this 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 for 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 0.5 mg per day.
Children and adolescents (10 years of age and older):
The dose depends on body weight:
Fingolimod Tarbis 0.5 mg hard capsules are not suitable for pediatric patients with a weight ≤ 40 kg. Other medications containing fingolimod are available in lower doses (such as 0.25 mg capsules).
Children and adolescents who start with one capsule of 0.25 mg per day using anothermedication that contains fingolimod, which are available in lower resistance and later reach a stable weight over 40 kg, the doctor will instruct them to switch to one capsule of 0.5 mg per day. In this case, it isrecommended to repeat the observation period of the first dose.
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 intact, 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 Tarbis 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 Tarbis
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 when 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 when 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.
Never take a double dose to compensate for missed doses.
If you interrupt treatment with Fingolimod Tarbis
Do not stop taking Fingolimod or change the dose that should be taken without consulting your doctor first.
Fingolimod will remain in your body for up to 2 months after treatment is discontinued. 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 discontinuing treatment with Fingolimod, you may need to wait 6-8 weeks before starting a new treatment with EM.
If you need to restart treatment with Fingolimod after a pause of more than 2 weeks, the effect on heart rhythm that may occur at the start of treatment may repeat and you will need to be monitored in the doctor's office to restart treatment. Do not restart treatment with Fingolimod after it has been discontinued for more than 2 weeks without consulting your doctor.
Your doctor will decide if you need to be followed up after discontinuing treatment with Fingolimod and how. Inform your doctor immediately if you think your MS is worsening after discontinuing 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
Frequent(may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Less frequent(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 unknown(cannot be estimated from available data):
If you experience any of these symptoms, inform your doctor immediately.
Other side effects
Very frequent(may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
Frequent(may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Less frequent(may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Rare(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
Frequency unknown(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 prospectus. You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for the Vigilance 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 after CAD/EXP. 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 thrown into the drains or trash. Dispose of the 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 the packaging and medications you no longer need. By doing so, you will help protect the environment.
Fingolimod Tarbis Composition
The active ingredient is fingolimod. Each hard capsule contains 0.5 mg of fingolimod (as hydrochloride).
The other components are:
Capsule content: powdered cellulose (E460), titanium dioxide (E171), magnesium stearate (E470b).
Capsule coating: gelatine (E441), yellow iron oxide (E172), titanium dioxide (E171), sodium lauryl sulfate (E487).
Black printing ink: shellac (E904), propylene glycol (E1520), black iron oxide (E172), potassium hydroxide (E527).
Blue printing ink:shellac (E904), propylene glycol (E1520), indigo carmine (E 132).
Appearance of the product and contents of the pack
Fingolimod Tarbis 0.5 mg hard capsules have a bright yellow cap and an opaque white body. The cap has a black imprint “H” and “F7” in the body marked with blue ink.
Fingolimod Tarbis 0.5 mg hard capsules are available in packs containing 7, 28 or 98 capsules or in a perforated unit dose blister pack containing 7 x 1 hard capsules in multiple packs containing 84 capsules (3 packs of 28 capsules).
Only some pack sizes may be marketed in your country.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Tarbis Farma S.L.
Gran Vía Carlos III, 94
08028 Barcelona
Spain
Responsible for manufacturing
Pharmadox Healthcare Ltd.
KW20A Kordin Industrial Park
Paola, PLA 3000
Malta
Amarox Pharma B.V.
Rouboslaan 32
Voorschoten, 2252TR
Netherlands
This medicinal product is authorized in the Member States of the European Economic Area under the following names:
Germany:Fingolimod Amarox 0.5 mg Hartkapseln
Netherlands:Fingolimod Amarox 0.5 mg harde capsules
Spain: Fingolimod Tarbis 0.5 mg hard capsules EFG
Sweden:Fingolimod Amarox 0.5 hårda kapslar
Last revision date of this leaflet: July 2021.
Detailed and updated information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/
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