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Fingolimod

RxNorm 1012895· FINGOLIMOD· ORAL

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited

Indications and usage

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Fingolimod is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in patients 10 years of age and older. Fingolimod is sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in patients 10 years of age and older. ( 1 )

Dosage and administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Assessments are required prior to initiating fingolimod. ( 2.1 ) • Recommended dosage for adults and pediatric patients (10 years of age and older) weighing more than 40 kg: 0.5 mg orally once daily, with or without food. ( 2.2 , 2.3 ) • First-Dose Monitoring (including reinitiation after discontinuation greater than 14 days and dose increases): o Observe all patients for bradycardia for at least 6 hours; monitor pulse and blood pressure hourly. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) prior to dosing and at end of observation period required. ( 2.4 ) o Monitor until resolution if heart rate < 45 beats per minute (bpm) in adults, < 55 bpm in patients aged 12 years and above, or < 60 bpm in pediatric patients aged 10 to below 12 years, atrioventricular (AV) block, or if lowest postdose heart rate is at the end of the observation period. ( 2.4 ) o Monitor symptomatic bradycardia with ECG until resolved. Continue overnight if intervention is required; repeat first-dose monitoring for second dose. ( 2.4 ) o Observe patients overnight if at higher risk of symptomatic bradycardia, heart block, prolonged QTc interval, or if taking drugs with known risk of torsades de pointes. ( 2.4 , 7.1 ) 2.1 Assessment Prior to Initiating Fingolimod Cardiac Evaluation Obtain a cardiac evaluation in patients with certain preexisting conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . Prior to starting treatment, determine whether patients are taking drugs that could slow heart rate or atrioventricular (AV) conduction [see Dosage and Administration (2.4), Drug Interactions (7.5)] . Complete Blood Count (CBC) Review results of a recent CBC [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Drug Interactions (7.6)] . Serum Transaminases (ALT and AST) and Total Bilirubin Levels Prior to starting treatment with fingolimod (i.e., within 6 months), obtain serum transaminases [alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transferase (AST)] and total bilirubin levels [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]. Ophthalmic Assessment Obtain a baseline evaluation of the fundus, including the macula, near the start of the treatment with fingolimod [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] . Skin Examination Obtain a baseline skin examination prior to or shortly after initiation of fingolimod. If a suspicious skin lesion is observed, it should be promptly evaluated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)] . Prior Medications If patients are taking antineoplastic, immunosuppressive, or immune-modulating therapies, or if there is a history of prior use of these drugs, consider possible unintended additive immunosuppressive effects before initiating treatment with fingolimod [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Drug Interactions (7.4)] . Vaccinations Test patients for antibodies to varicella zoster virus (VZV) before initiating fingolimod; VZV vaccination of antibody-negative patients is recommended prior to commencing treatment with fingolimod [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. It is recommended that pediatric patients if possible, complete all immunizations in accordance with current immunization guidelines prior to initiating fingolimod therapy. 2.2 Important Administration Instructions Patients who initiate fingolimod, and those who reinitiate treatment after discontinuation for longer than 14 days, require first-dose monitoring. This monitoring is also recommended when the dose is increased in pediatric patients [see Dosage and Administration (2.4, 2.5)]. Fingolimod can be taken with or without food. 2.3 Recommended Dosage In adults and pediatric patients 10 years of age and older weighing more than 40 kg, the recommended dosage of fingolimod is 0.5 mg orally once daily. Fingolimod doses higher than 0.5 mg are associated with a greater incidence of adverse reactions without additional benefit. 2.4 First-Dose Monitoring Initiation of fingolimod treatment results in a decrease in heart rate, for which monitoring is recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Clinical Pharma…

Warnings

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Infections: Fingolimod may increase the risk. Obtain a complete blood count (CBC) before initiating treatment. Monitor for infection during treatment and for 2 months after discontinuation. Do not start in patients with active infections. ( 5.2 ) • Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): Withhold fingolimod at the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML. ( 5.3 ) • Macular Edema: Increases the risk of macular edema. Obtain a baseline evaluation of the fundus, including the macula, near the start of treatment with fingolimod. Conduct an evaluation of the fundus, including the macula, 3 to 4 months after treatment start, periodically while on therapy and any time there is a change in vision. Consider discontinuing fingolimod if macular edema develops. Diabetes mellitus and uveitis increase the risk. ( 5.4 ) • Liver Injury: Obtain liver enzyme results before initiation and periodically during treatment. Closely monitor patients with severe hepatic impairment. Discontinue if there is evidence of liver injury without other cause. ( 5.5 , 8.6 , 12.3 ) • Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES): If suspected, discontinue fingolimod. ( 5.6 ) • Respiratory Effects: Evaluate when clinically indicated. ( 5.7 ) • Fetal Risk: May cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use an effective method of contraception during treatment and for 2 months after stopping fingolimod. ( 5.8 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) • Severe Increase in Disability After Stopping Fingolimod: Monitor for development of severe increase in disability following discontinuation and begin appropriate treatment as needed. ( 5.9 ) • Tumefactive MS: Consider when severe MS relapse occurs during treatment or after discontinuation. Obtain imaging and begin treatment as needed. ( 5.10 ) • Increased Blood Pressure (BP): Monitor BP in adult and pediatric patients during treatment. ( 5.11 ) • Malignancies: Skin examination prior to or shortly after the start of treatment and periodically thereafter is recommended. Suspicious skin lesions should be evaluated. ( 5.12 ) 5.1 Bradyarrhythmia and Atrioventricular Blocks Because of a risk for bradyarrhythmia and AV blocks, patients should be monitored during fingolimod treatment initiation [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)]. Reduction in Heart Rate After the first dose of fingolimod, the heart rate decrease starts within an hour. On Day 1, the maximum decline in heart rate generally occurs within 6 hours and recovers, although not to baseline levels, by 8 to 10 hours postdose. Because of physiological diurnal variation, there is a second period of heart rate decrease within 24 hours after the first dose. In some patients, heart rate decrease during the second period is more pronounced than the decrease observed in the first 6 hours. Heart rates below 40 bpm in adults, and below 50 bpm in pediatric patients occurred rarely. In controlled clinical trials in adult patients, adverse reactions of symptomatic bradycardia following the first dose were reported in 0.6% of patients receiving fingolimod 0.5 mg and in 0.1% of patients on placebo. Patients who experienced bradycardia were generally asymptomatic, but some patients experienced hypotension, dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, and/or chest pain that usually resolved within the first 24 hours on treatment. Patients with some preexisting conditions (e.g., ischemic heart disease, history of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, history of cardiac arrest, cerebrovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, history of symptomatic bradycardia, history of recurrent syncope, severe untreated sleep apnea, AV block, sinoatrial heart block) may poorly tolerate the fingolimod-induced bradycardia, or experience serious rhythm disturbances after the first dose of fingolimod. Prior to treatment with fingolimod, these patients should have a cardiac evaluation by a physician appropriately trained to cond…

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Fingolimod is contraindicated in patients who have: in the last 6 months experienced myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), decompensated heart failure requiring hospitalization or Class III/IV heart failure a history or presence of Mobitz Type II second-degree or third-degree AV block or sick sinus syndrome, unless patient has a functioning pacemaker [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] a baseline QTc interval ≥ 500 msec cardiac arrhythmias requiring anti-arrhythmic treatment with Class Ia or Class III anti-arrhythmic drugs had a hypersensitivity reaction to fingolimod or any of the excipients in fingolimod capsules. Observed reactions include rash, urticaria and angioedema upon treatment initiation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14)] • Recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), decompensated heart failure with hospitalization, or Class III/IV heart failure. ( 4 ) • History of Mobitz Type II 2nd degree or 3rd degree AV block or sick sinus syndrome, unless patient has a pacemaker. ( 4 ) • Baseline QTc interval ≥500 msec. ( 4 ) • Cardiac arrhythmias requiring anti-arrhythmic treatment with Class Ia or Class III anti-arrhythmic drugs. ( 4 ) • Hypersensitivity to fingolimod or its excipients. ( 4 )

Drug interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS • Systemic Ketoconazole: Monitor during concomitant use. ( 7.2 , 12.3 ) • Vaccines: Avoid live attenuated vaccines during, and for 2 months after stopping fingolimod treatment. ( 5.2 , 7.3 ) 7.1 QT Prolonging Drugs Fingolimod have not been studied in patients treated with drugs that prolong the QT interval. Drugs that prolong the QT interval have been associated with cases of torsades de pointes in patients with bradycardia. Since initiation of fingolimod treatment results in decreased heart rate and may prolong the QT interval, patients on QT-prolonging drugs with a known risk of torsades de pointes (e.g., citalopram, chlorpromazine, haloperidol, methadone, erythromycin) should be monitored overnight with continuous ECG in a medical facility [see Dosage and Administration (2.4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. 7.2 Ketoconazole The blood levels of fingolimod and fingolimod-phosphate are increased by 1.7-fold when used concomitantly with ketoconazole. Patients who use fingolimod and systemic ketoconazole concomitantly should be closely monitored, as the risk of adverse reactions is increased. 7.3 Vaccines Fingolimod reduces the immune response to vaccination. Vaccination may be less effective during and for up to 2 months after discontinuation of treatment with fingolimod [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]. Avoid the use of live attenuated vaccines during and for 2 months after treatment with fingolimod because of the risk of infection. It is recommended that pediatric patients, if possible, be brought up to date with all immunizations in agreement with current immunization guidelines prior to initiating fingolimod therapy. 7.4 Antineoplastic, Immunosuppressive, or Immune-Modulating Therapies Antineoplastic, immune-modulating, or immunosuppressive therapies, (including corticosteroids) are expected to increase the risk of immunosuppression, and the risk of additive immune system effects must be considered if these therapies are coadministered with fingolimod. When switching from drugs with prolonged immune effects, such as natalizumab, teriflunomide or mitoxantrone, the duration and mode of action of these drugs must be considered to avoid unintended additive immunosuppressive effects when initiating fingolimod [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. 7.5 Drugs That Slow Heart Rate or Atrioventricular Conduction (e.g., beta blockers or diltiazem) Experience with fingolimod in patients receiving concurrent therapy with drugs that slow the heart rate or AV conduction (e.g., beta blockers, digoxin, or heart rate-slowing calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem or verapamil) is limited. Because initiation of fingolimod treatment may result in an additional decrease in heart rate, concomitant use of these drugs during fingolimod initiation may be associated with severe bradycardia or heart block. Seek advice from the physician prescribing these drugs regarding the possibility to switch to drugs that do not slow the heart rate or atrioventricular conduction before initiating fingolimod. Patients who cannot switch should have overnight continuous ECG monitoring after the first dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. 7.6 Laboratory Test Interaction Because fingolimod reduces blood lymphocyte counts via redistribution in secondary lymphoid organs, peripheral blood lymphocyte counts cannot be utilized to evaluate the lymphocyte subset status of a patient treated with fingolimod. A recent CBC should be available before initiating treatment with fingolimod.

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available observational pregnancy registry data suggest that use of fingolimod is associated with an increased prevalence of major birth defects in comparison to the general population. However, limitations in the number of exposed pregnant women and in the study design preclude definitive conclusions (see Data). Data from prospective reports to the pregnancy registry are currently not sufficient to allow for an adequate assessment of the drug associated risk for miscarriage. Based on findings from animal studies, fingolimod may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In oral studies conducted in rats and rabbits, fingolimod demonstrated developmental toxicity, including an increase in malformations (rats) and embryolethality, when given to pregnant animals. In rats, the highest no-effect dose was less than the recommended human dose of 0.5 mg/day on a body surface area (mg/m 2 ) basis. The most common fetal visceral malformations in rats were persistent truncus arteriosus and ventricular septal defect. The receptor affected by fingolimod (sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor) is known to be involved in vascular formation during embryogenesis (see Data). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. In the US general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Clinical Considerations In females planning to become pregnant, fingolimod should be stopped 2 months before planned conception. The possibility of severe increase in disability should be considered in women who discontinue or are considering discontinuation of fingolimod because of pregnancy or planned pregnancy. In many of the cases in which increase in disability was reported after stopping fingolimod, patients had stopped fingolimod because of pregnancy or planned pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)]. Data Human Data In a prospective observational fingolimod pregnancy registry (GPR) (2011 to 2024), the rate of major birth defects among 147 live births, stillbirths, or terminations of pregnancy due to fetal anomalies from women who were administered fingolimod during the first trimester was 8.2% (95% CI: 4.3 to 13.8) using the European Registration of Congenital Anomalies and Twin classification and 10.9% (95% CI: 6.4 to 17.1) using the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program classification. The most frequent major birth defects were congenital heart defects, renal/urinary malformations, and limb/musculoskeletal malformations. Study limitations include no adjustment for confounders, no re-adjudication in case of spontaneous resolution, lack of an internal comparator cohort, and small sample size. In fingolimod prospective pharmacovigilance data, the most frequent major birth defect types were similar to those reported in the GPR. The pattern of malformations reported for fingolimod is similar to that observed in the general population. There is no evidence of clustering of specific birth defects with fingolimod. Animal Data When fingolimod was orally administered to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis (0, 0.03, 0.1, and 0.3 mg/kg/day or 0, 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg/day), increased incidences of fetal malformations and embryofetal deaths were observed at all but the lowest dose tested (0.03 mg/kg/day), which is less than the recommended human dose (RHD) on a mg/m 2 basis. Oral administration to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis (0, 0.5, 1.5, and 5 mg/kg/day) resulted in increased incidences of embryofetal mortality and fetal growth retardation at the mid and high doses. The no-effect dose for these effects in rabbits (0.5 mg/kg/day) is approximately 20 times the RHD on a mg/m 2 basis. When fingolimod was orally administered to female rats during pregnancy and lactation (0, 0.05, 0.…

Adverse events

Most frequently reported events (FDA FAERS). Report frequency does not imply causation.

  • fatigue10,878
  • multiple sclerosis relapse7,805
  • headache7,307
  • dizziness5,413
  • white blood cell count decreased4,004
  • gait disturbance3,886
  • hypoaesthesia3,805
  • lymphocyte count decreased3,593
  • fall3,506
  • nausea3,451
  • drug ineffective3,170
  • malaise3,149
  • memory impairment2,984
  • pain2,953
  • central nervous system lesion2,913
  • asthenia2,890

Adverse reactions (label)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling: Bradyarrhythmia and Atrioventricular Blocks [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Infections [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Macular Edema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] Liver Injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5 )] Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)] Respiratory Effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] Fetal Risk [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)] Severe Increase in Disability After Stopping Fingolimod [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)] Tumefactive Multiple Sclerosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)] Increased Blood Pressure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11)] Malignancies [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)] Immune System Effects Following Fingolimod Discontinuation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13)] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14)] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10% and greater than placebo): Headache, liver transaminase elevation, diarrhea, cough, influenza, sinusitis, back pain, abdominal pain, and pain in extremity. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adults In clinical trials (Studies 1, 2, and 3), a total of 1212 patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis received fingolimod 0.5 mg. This included 783 patients who received fingolimod 0.5 mg in the 2-year placebo-controlled trials (Studies 1 and 3) and 429 patients who received fingolimod 0.5 mg in the 1-year active-controlled trial (Study 2). The overall exposure in the controlled trials was equivalent to 1716 person-years. Approximately 1000 patients received at least 2 years of treatment with fingolimod 0.5 mg. In all clinical studies, including uncontrolled extension studies, the exposure to fingolimod 0.5 mg was approximately 4119 person-years. In placebo-controlled trials, the most frequent adverse reactions (incidence ≥10% and greater than placebo) for fingolimod 0.5 mg were headache, liver transaminase elevation, diarrhea, cough, influenza, sinusitis, back pain, abdominal pain, and pain in extremity. Adverse events that led to treatment discontinuation and occurred in more than 1% of patients taking fingolimod 0.5 mg, were serum transaminase elevations (4.7% compared to 1% on placebo) and basal cell carcinoma (1% compared to 0.5% on placebo). Table 1 lists adverse reactions in clinical studies in adults that occurred in ≥ 1% of fingolimod -treated patients and ≥ 1% higher rate than for placebo. Table 1: Adverse Reactions Reported in Adult Studies 1 and 3 (Occurring in ≥1% of Patients and Reported for Fingolimod 0.5 mg at ≥1% Higher Rate Than for Placebo) Adverse drug reactions Fingolimod 0.5 mg Placebo N=783 % N=773 % Infections Influenza 11 8 Sinusitis 11 8 Bronchitis 8 5 Herpes zoster 2 1 Tinea versicolor 2 <1 Cardiac disorders Bradycardia 3 1 Nervous system disorders Headache 25 24 Migraine 6 4 Gastrointestinal disorders Nausea 13 12 Diarrhea 13 10 Abdominal pain 11 10 General disorders and administration-site conditions Asthenia 2 1 Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Back pain 10 9 Pain in extremity 10 7 Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Alopecia 3 2 Actinic keratosis 2 1 Investigations Liver transaminase elevations (ALT/GGT/AST) 15 4 Blood triglycerides increased 3 1 Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders Cough 12 11 Dyspnea 9 7 Eye disorders Vision blurred 4 2 Vascular disorders Hypertension 8 4 Blood and lymphatic system disorders Lymphopenia 7 <1 Leukopenia 2 <1 Neoplasm…