Immune Modulator

QWhat are the side effects of taking Gilenya for multiple sclerosis (MS)?

1 Answer

A

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered

Gilenya is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. Your first dose of Gilenya will be given in a medical facility where you will be watched for at least 6 hours after your first dose of Gilenya.

The most common side effects of Gilenya include:

headache
flu
diarrhea
back pain
abnormal liver tests
cough

Gilenya may also cause serious side effects, including:

Slow heart rate (bradycardia or bradyarrhythmia) when you start taking Gilenya.

Infections. Gilenya can increase your risk of serious infections. Gilenya lowers the number of white blood cells (lymphocytes) in your blood. This will usually go back to normal within two months of stopping treatment. Your doctor may do a blood test before you start taking Gilenya. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms of an infection:

fever
tiredness
body aches
chills
nausea
vomiting

A problem with your vision called macular edema. Macular edema can cause some of the same vision symptoms as an MS attack (optic neuritis). You may not notice any symptoms with macular edema. Macular edema usually starts in the first three to four months after you start taking Gilenya. Your doctor should test your vision before you start taking Gilenya and three to four months after you start taking Gilenya, or any time you notice vision changes during treatment with Gilenya. Your risk of macular edema may be higher if you have diabetes or have had an inflammation of your eye called uveitis. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:

blurriness or shadows in the center of your vision
a blind spot in the center of your vision
sensitivity to light
unusually colored (tinted) vision

Breathing problems. Some people who take Gilenya have shortness of breath. Call your doctor right away if you have trouble breathing.

Liver problems. Gilenya may cause liver problems. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking Gilenya. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems:

nausea
vomiting
stomach pain
loss of appetite
tiredness
your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow
dark urine

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of Gilenya.

QWhat is fingolimod (Gilenya)?

2 Answers

A

Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

Fingolimod (Gilenya) is an oral disease-modifying drug for multiple sclerosis (MS). It works by making it harder for certain immune cells to enter and attack the central nervous system. Fingolimod is an option for people with relapsing-remitting MS that is not well controlled with first-line treatments, such as interferon beta, glatiramer, teriflunomide, or dimethyl fumarate. Fingolimod has a risk of serious side effects.

This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.

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QWhat should I know before taking fingolimod (Gilenya)?

1 Answer

A

Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

Your doctor may need to do an eye exam, a complete blood count, electrocardiogram (EKG), liver function test, and a blood test to check your immunity to the varicella zoster virus before starting treatment.

If you have had a heart attack, stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the past 6 months, you should not take fingolimod. If you have heart block or a prolonged QT interval, you should not take fingolimod.

If you have had class III or IV heart failure or were hospitalized in the last 6 months for heart failure you should not take fingolimod.

If you have impaired liver function, fingolimod may not be a good option for you.

Fingolimod may not be a good option for you if you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy. It is not known if it is safe for pregnant women.

If you are breastfeeding, fingolimod may not be a good option for you. It is not known if this drug can be passed into breast milk.

This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.

QHow does fingolimod (Gilenya) interact with other medications or foods?

1 Answer

A

Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

If you are taking any of the following medications, fingolimod can lead to side effects and should be avoided:

class Ia or class III antiarrhythmia drug
ceritinib
denosumab
an immunosuppressive drug
leflunomide
mifepristone
natalizumab
pimecrolimus
a drug that prolongs the QTc interval
tacrolimus
tofacitinib

This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.

QWhat are the possible side effects of fingolimod (Gilenya)?

1 Answer

A

Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

Serious side effects of fingolimod include slowing of the heart and heart block, macular edema (swelling inside part of the eye), breathing problems, high blood pressure, and abnormal results on liver function lab tests. It may also raise the risk of infections, such as the flu, bronchitis, and sinusitis. Severe chickenpox and herpes infections have occurred. Other side effects include headache, back pain, diarrhea, and cough.

Some people taking fingolimod have developed PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy), a viral brain infection. This is rare, but it can lead to death or permanent disability.

This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.

QHow does Orencia (abatacept) interact with other medications?

1 Answer

A

Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

If you are taking the following drugs, abatacept can lead to side effects and should be avoided:

anakinra
belimumab
denosumab
fingolimod
leflunomide
natalizumab
pimecrolimus
rituximab
tacrolimus
tocilizumab
tofacitinib
tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor

This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.

QWhat are the side effects of abatacept?

1 Answer

A

Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

Side effects may include headaches, inflammation of the nose and throat, upper respiratory infections, and nausea. Abatacept increases the risk for serious infections, including pneumonia, cellulitis, bronchitis, diverticulitis, and pyelonephritis. Some people have serious, even fatal, reactions to abatacept, such as reactivation of chronic hepatitis B, lymphoma, and a serious allergic reaction after an infusion. Live vaccines should not be given while taking abatacept.

This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.

QWhat should I know about abatacept before taking it?

1 Answer

A

Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

If you are breastfeeding, abatacept may not be a good option for you. It is not known whether abatacept is passed into breast milk.

Patients with a history of recurrent infections or underlying conditions predisposing to infections may experience more infections. Your doctor will need to test for tuberculosis and hepatitis B before you start treatment. If a serious infection develops while taking abatacept, discontinue use.

Allergic reaction or hypersensitivity may occur with initial use.

If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, abatacept may not be a good option for you. It is not known if it is safe for pregnant women.

If you have COPD or recurrent infections, abatacept may not be a good option for you.

Live vaccines may have lessened effectiveness while taking abatacept and for three months following discontinuation.

This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.

QHow effective is abatacept?

1 Answer

A

Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

Several studies have found abatacept to be about as effective as TNF inhibitors in relieving pain and other symptoms of RA. It reduces joint swelling and tenderness, improves physical function, and helps curb RA disease activity.

This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.

QWhat is abatacept?

1 Answer

A

Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

Abatacept (Orencia) is a biologic drug that blocks certain immune system cells (T cells) that inflame and damage joints in RA. It is given as an injection, usually weekly. It is most often prescribed for people whose RA has not been controlled with traditional DMARDs, such as methotrexate. It is usually taken along with a DMARD. Because it affects the immune system differently than TNF inhibitors, it is sometimes used when a TNF inhibitor has not been effective.

This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.

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