Fintepla (Fenfluramine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Fintepla Used For?
Fintepla contains fenfluramine, a medication specifically designed to treat certain types of childhood epilepsy that are difficult to control with other treatments.
Primary Uses
Fintepla is used to treat seizures in patients aged 2 years and older who have either Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It helps reduce both the severity and number of seizures.
How It Works
Fenfluramine works by increasing the activity of serotonin (a natural brain substance) and the sigma-1 receptor in the brain, which helps control seizures.
Good to know: Fintepla oral solution is compatible with ketogenic diets and most enteral feeding tubes.
How to Take Fintepla
Fintepla is an oral solution that must be measured carefully using the provided syringes and taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Dosage Instructions
Take Fintepla twice daily with or without food. Your doctor will calculate the dose based on body weight, starting low and gradually increasing. Use the green 3 mL syringe for doses up to 3.0 mL, and the purple 6 mL syringe for doses between 3.2 mL and 6.0 mL. Maximum dose is 6 mL twice daily (or 4 mL twice daily if taking stiripentol). Always use the bottle adapter and follow the detailed preparation instructions provided.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Do not take more than the prescribed amount as it may cause serious side effects.
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:
- Falling
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- High temperature (fever)
- Feeling tired, sleepy or weak
- Chest infection, bronchitis, influenza, ear infection, pneumonia
- Trembling of hands, arms or legs
- Long-lasting seizures
- Irritability
- Lethargy
- Producing a lot of saliva
- Abnormal behavior
- Rapid mood changes
- Aggression
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Problems with coordination, walking and balance
- Decreased muscle tone
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Serotonin syndrome symptoms: agitation, hallucinations, passing out, fast heartbeat, fever, twitching muscles, being uncoordinated, sleepy or confused, being flushed or hot, shivering, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Allergic reactions: difficulty breathing or swallowing, low blood pressure, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, severe itching with red rash
- Heart problems: shortness of breath, tiredness with activity, lightheadedness, fainting, swollen ankles or feet, chest pain, rapid or fluttering heartbeat, irregular pulse, bluish color to lips and skin
Important Warnings
Fintepla carries serious warnings about heart problems and requires regular monitoring throughout treatment.
Who Should Not Take Fintepla
Do not use Fintepla if you or your child are allergic to fenfluramine, have heart valve problems or pulmonary arterial hypertension, or have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the last 2 weeks.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you or your child have glaucoma, thoughts of self-harm, heart problems, weight loss, depression or mood problems, kidney problems, or liver problems. Also mention if taking cyproheptadine.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Fintepla is not recommended during pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Heart Monitoring Required: Echocardiogram assessments are required before starting treatment, every 6 months for the first 2 years, then yearly, and 6 months after stopping treatment due to risk of heart valve disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Drug Interactions
Fintepla can interact with several medications, particularly those that affect serotonin levels, which can lead to dangerous serotonin syndrome.
Smoking interaction: Tell your doctor if you smoke, as the dose of Fintepla may need to be increased.
- Triptans (such as sumatriptan) used for migraine
- MAOI medicines (such as phenelzine and tranylcypromine) used for depression
- SSRI antidepressants (sertraline, citalopram, fluoxetine)
- SNRI antidepressants (venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine)
- Stiripentol (may require dose reduction)
- Carbamazepine, primidone, rifampicin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, efavirenz (may require dose increase)
- Anti-depressants and alcohol (may increase sleepiness)
Alcohol & Driving
Fintepla can cause drowsiness and affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
Fintepla can make you feel sleepy, and this effect may be increased if you drink alcohol at the same time.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Fintepla affects you. Talk to your doctor about driving, using machines, or activities like cycling or sports, as you may feel sleepy after taking this medicine.
Storage
Store Fintepla below 30°C. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Keep the bottle in the original carton to protect from light. Keep out of reach of children. Wash the syringe after each use. Discard the medicine after the expiry date or if more than 3 months have passed since the bottle was first opened.
Overdose Information
If you or your child take more Fintepla than prescribed, immediately call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Take the medicine bottle with you. Overdose symptoms may include agitation, sleepiness, confusion, feeling flushed or hot, shivering, and sweating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your doctor will start you on a low dose that can be gradually increased depending on how well the medicine works and how it affects you. The timing of effectiveness can vary between individuals.
Yes, you can take Fintepla with food or between meals. The oral solution is also compatible with ketogenic diets.
Do not stop taking Fintepla without talking to your doctor. If your doctor decides to stop this medicine, they will ask you to slowly lower the amount taken each day to reduce the risk of seizures and status epilepticus.
Fintepla is associated with heart valve problems and high blood pressure in lung arteries. You need echocardiograms before starting, every 6 months for 2 years, then yearly, and 6 months after stopping treatment.
No, Fintepla is not recommended for children under 2 years of age.
If you lose or damage a syringe, or cannot read the dose markings, use another oral syringe provided in your pack or speak to your pharmacist.
You must discard the medicine if it is more than 3 months since the bottle was first opened, even if it hasn’t reached the expiry date.
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.