ion, have fever, or feel like you have the flu.
Gilenya lowers the white blood cell count (particularly the lymphocyte count). White blood cells fight infection. While you are taking Gilenya (and for up to 2 months after you stop taking it), you may get infections more easily. Any infection that you already have may get worse. Infections could be serious and life-threatening.
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Your doctor will do regular checks to help prevent you from having side effects from the medicine.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Gilenya.
Tell any other doctor, dentist or pharmacist who treats you that you are taking Gilenya.
Things you must not do
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their condition seems similar to yours.
Do not use it to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Things to be careful of
Your doctor will tell you whether your illness allows you to drive vehicles and use machines safely. Gilenya is not expected to have an influence on your ability to drive and use machines.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Gilenya even if you do not think it is connected with the medicine.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by these lists of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects and they worry you:
bronchitis with symptoms such as cough with phlegm, chest pain, fever
gastroenteritis with symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, fever
herpes virus infection (shingles or herpes zoster) with symptoms such as blisters, burning, itching or pain around the mouth or genitals. Other symptoms may be fever and weakness in the early stages of infection, followed by numbness, itching, and red patches or blisters on the face or trunk, with severe pain
fever, cough, difficulty breathing, tiredness, aching joints and muscles which are signs of infections. While you are taking Gilenya (and for up to 2 months after you stop taking it), you may get infections more easily. Any infection that you already have may get worse. Infections could be serious and life-threatening.
slow heartbeat (bradycardia).
The above side effects are common and can be serious.
pneumonia with symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing
symptoms such as shadows or blind spot in the center of the vision, blurred vision, problems seeing colours or details which are symptoms of macular oedema (swelling in the central vision area of the retina at the back of the eye).
The above side effects are uncommon and can be serious. If you experience any of these, tell your doctor straight away.
infection from flu virus with symptoms such as tiredness, chills, sore throat, joint or muscles aching, fever
headache
diarrhoea
back pain
cough
The above side effects are very common and non-serious. If any of these affects you severely, tell your doctor.
feeling of pressure or pain in the cheeks and forehead (sinusitis)
infection from fungi affecting the skin, hair or nails (ringworm)
dizziness
tingling or numbness
severe headache often acco |
