What are pharmacy side effects?

Side effects, also known as adverse reactions, are unwanted undesirable effects that are possibly related to a drug. Side effects can vary from minor problems like a runny nose to life-threatening events, such as a heart attack or liver damage.

Is Gilenya a high risk medication?

Gilenya is generally safe and well tolerated. One of the possible side effects from this medication is macular edema (fluid swelling of the retina in the back of the eye) that causes blurred vision. This rarely occurs and usually it develops within 3-6 months after starting Gilenya.

Is Gilenya being discontinued?

FDA is warning that discontinuation of Gilenya treatment in rare instances may result in a severe increase in disability accompanied by the presence of multiple new lesions on MRI. The increase in disability is severe and potentially irreversible.

What class of drug is Gilenya?

Gilenya® is a new class of medication called a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator, which is thought to act by retaining certain white blood cells (lymphocytes) in the lymph nodes, thereby preventing those cells from crossing the blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system (CNS).

What should you do if you have unpleasant side effects while taking a prescription medicine?

Talk to your doctor first. The benefits of the drug may far outweigh any side effects. Unpleasant or harmful reactions to medications are common and can range from mild—a little nausea, for example—to severe, such as fainting or palpitations.

Who should not take Gilenya?

GILENYA may not be for everyone. Don’t take GILENYA if you have experienced heart problems or stroke in the last 6 months, take medicines that affect your heart rhythm, or are allergic to fingolimod or any of the other ingredients.

How long can you stay on Gilenya?

Continuous Use of Gilenya for Up to 3 Years Can Lead to 50% Drop in Annual Relapse Rates, Real-world Study Says.

Can Gilenya cause heart problems?

GILENYA may cause serious side effects, including: 1. Slow heart rate (bradycardia or bradyarrhythmia) when you start taking GILENYA. GILENYA can cause your heart rate to slow down, especially after you take your first dose.

Why am I so sensitive to medication side effects?

A number of factors influence your chances of having an adverse reaction to a medication. These include: body size, genetics, body chemistry or the presence of an underlying disease. Also, having an allergy to one drug predisposes one to have an allergy to another unrelated drug.

Can medication side effects go away?

Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while. If side effects continue to bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine.

What happens when you stop taking Gilenya?

– severe heart failure (that required you to be in the hospital); – “AV block” or sick sinus syndrome (unless you have a pacemaker); – long QT syndrome; or – recent (within the past 6 months) heart attack, stroke, “mini-stroke” or TIA, chest pain ( unstable angina ), or other serious heart problem.

Does Gilenya cause hair loss?

Hair loss was a side effect reported with Gilenya use. In clinical studies of people with MS, 3% of people who took Gilenya had hair loss during treatment. This was compared to 2% of people who took a placebo (no treatment). If you’re concerned about hair loss with Gilenya use, talk with your doctor. Click to see full answer.

How does Gilenya effect the heart?

heart attack

Can Gilenya cause liver disease?

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