Gilenya is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. Gilenya can decrease the number of MS flare-ups (relapses). Gilenya does not cure MS, but it can help slow down the physical problems that MS causes. It is not known if Gilenya is safe and effective in children under age 18.
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Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answeredGilenya 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.