About fingolimod hydrochoride
Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator
Used for
- Treats relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults and children aged 10 years or older.
Usual adult dose
0.5 mg by mouth once daily for relapsing multiple sclerosis.
Usual dose in children
For ages 10 years and older: 0.25 mg once daily if under 40 kg; 0.5 mg once daily if 40 kg or more.
Common side effects
- Headache, diarrhea, cough, or back pain
- Slow heart rate or heart block, especially after the first dose
- Infections, including shingles
- Macular edema or elevated liver enzymes
Important warnings
- First-dose heart monitoring is required; heart rate may slow.
- Can cause serious infections; assess infection risk and vaccination status.
- May cause macular edema; eye examinations are recommended.
- Stopping treatment can cause severe worsening of multiple sclerosis.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby. Effective contraception is recommended during treatment and for two months after stopping.
Breastfeeding
Fingolimod may pass into breast milk; discuss treatment and breastfeeding risks with a clinician.
Interactions
- Medicines that slow heart rate or affect heart rhythm can increase cardiac risks.
- Other immune-suppressing medicines can increase infection risk.
- Live vaccines should be avoided during treatment and for two months after stopping.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.