Fingolimod-Teva (Fingolimod Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Fingolimod-Teva Used For?
Fingolimod-Teva is a medication that helps manage multiple sclerosis by changing how your immune system works to protect your nervous system.
Primary Uses
Fingolimod-Teva is used in adults, children and adolescents (10 years of age and above) to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a long-term condition that affects the central nervous system, particularly how the brain and spinal cord work.
How It Works
This medicine slows down the progression of physical disability and decreases the number of flare-ups (relapses) in patients with relapsing MS. It helps fight against attacks on myelin by the immune system and stops the cells that cause inflammation from reaching the brain. This reduces nerve damage caused by MS and may also have a direct beneficial effect on certain brain cells involved in repairing or slowing down MS damage.
Good to know: This medicine helps protect the protective cover around your nerves (called myelin) and can reduce both the frequency of MS flare-ups and slow physical disability progression.
How to Take Fingolimod-Teva
Take Fingolimod-Teva exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dose depends on your age and weight, and it should be taken at the same time each day.
Dosage Instructions
Adults and children weighing over 40 kg: one 0.5 mg capsule per day. Children weighing 40 kg or less: one 0.25 mg capsule per day (available in other brands). Swallow the capsule with a glass of water. Can be taken with or without food. Take at about the same time each day for best results.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. If you miss a dose during the first 2 weeks, call your doctor right away as they may need to observe you when you take the next dose.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Missing doses during early treatment may require medical supervision when restarting.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Flu-related symptoms
- Headache
- Diarrhea
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Coughing with phlegm
- Chest pain
- Shingles/herpes zoster
- Slow or irregular heartbeat
- Blurred vision
- Skin nodules
- Signs of infection (fever, flu-like symptoms)
- Vision changes (blurry center vision, blind spots, color/detail problems)
- Skin changes (unusual moles, patches, sores that don’t heal)
- Signs of liver problems (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, yellowing of skin/eyes)
- Symptoms of brain disorders (weakness, visual changes, unusual symptoms)
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations before starting Fingolimod-Teva, especially related to heart conditions, infections, and pregnancy.
Who Should Not Take Fingolimod-Teva
Do not use if you are allergic to fingolimod or any ingredients; have had a heart attack, unstable angina, stroke or certain types of heart failure in the last 6 months; have certain types of irregular or abnormal heartbeat; or are taking medicines for irregular heartbeat such as quinidine, disopyramide, amiodarone or sotalol.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, lowered immune response, liver problems, active infections, irregular heartbeat, severe heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, history of stroke, severe breathing difficulties when asleep, or slow heart rate. Your doctor may need to refer you to a cardiologist before starting treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
You should avoid becoming pregnant while taking Fingolimod-Teva or in the two months after stopping because it may harm your unborn baby. Use reliable birth control during treatment and for 2 months after stopping. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine as it can pass into breast milk and cause serious side effects for the baby.
First Dose Monitoring: You must stay at the doctor’s office for 6 hours after your first dose so your heart rate and blood pressure can be monitored every hour, as this medicine can temporarily slow your heart rate.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Fingolimod-Teva, particularly those affecting heart rhythm and immune system function.
Vaccine Warning: Do not receive live attenuated vaccines during treatment and for up to 2 months after stopping Fingolimod-Teva.
- Medicines for irregular heartbeat (quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol)
- Medicines that slow heart rate (atenolol, verapamil, diltiazem, ivabradine, digoxin)
- Medicines causing abnormal heart rhythm (citalopram, chlorpromazine, haloperidol, methadone, erythromycin)
- Immune system suppressants (beta-interferon, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab, mitozantrone, dimethyl fumarate, teriflunomide, alemtuzumab, corticosteroids)
- Live attenuated vaccines
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with activities requiring alertness and discuss alcohol use with your doctor.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. The interaction between alcohol and Fingolimod-Teva should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Fingolimod-Teva affects you. Your doctor will tell you whether your condition allows you to drive vehicles and use machines safely. Fingolimod-Teva is not expected to influence your ability to drive and use machines.
Storage
Store Fingolimod-Teva in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep it away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Store in original container and keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Fingolimod-Teva, seek immediate medical attention. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Overdose symptoms may include swelling in hands or feet, tingling or numbness in hands or feet, muscle pain, and fever. You may need heart monitoring and overnight observation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fingolimod-Teva helps reduce MS flare-ups and slow disability progression over time. Your doctor will monitor your progress to ensure the medicine is working effectively.
Yes, Fingolimod-Teva can be taken with or without food. It doesn’t matter whether you take it before or after eating.
Don’t stop taking Fingolimod-Teva unless your doctor tells you to. Your MS symptoms may return or become worse if you stop treatment. The medicine stays in your body for up to 2 months after stopping.
You should tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Discuss any alcohol consumption with your healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe with your treatment.
Fingolimod-Teva may temporarily slow your heart rate when you take the first dose. You’ll need to stay at the doctor’s office for 6 hours so your heart rate and blood pressure can be checked every hour for safety.
You should not receive live attenuated vaccines during treatment and for up to 2 months after stopping. Other vaccines may not work as well. Always consult your doctor before getting any vaccination.
Tell your doctor immediately if you think you have an infection, fever, or feel like you have the flu. You may get infections more easily while taking this medicine, and infections can be serious.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.