Does Gilenya cause hair loss?
- Hair loss is an uncommon side effect of Gilenya.
- In clinical trials, 3% of people had hair loss who were taking Gilenya, compared with 2% of people taking placebo.
Gilenya (fingolimod) is an immunosuppressant that may be used for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults, and children and adolescents aged 10 years and older.
In clinical trials, hair loss was reported by 3% of participants, compared with 2% of participants who were assigned a placebo (pretend) pill.
Blog reports also occasionally report varying forms of hair loss or slow regrowth. For example:
- A 56-year-old male also suffering from stress noticed hair loss that started 18 months after starting Gilenya
- A woman who had her hair cut short reported only an inch of hair growth in a year
- Another woman reported 6 weeks of hair loss after starting Gilenya and then no more hair loss.
It is difficult to decide whether some of these reports of hair loss may have just been an inevitable part of aging that would have occurred regardless of the administration of Gilenya.
What are the common side effects of Gilenya?
Side effects of Gilenya occurring in more than 1% of people include:
- Abdominal pain
- An increase in blood triglycerides
- An increased risk of basal cell carcinoma (2%) and skin papilloma (3%)
- An increased risk of infections, such as the flu, sinusitis, bronchitis, herpes zoster, and tinea versicolor
- Back pain or other pain
- Blood disorders
- Blurred vision
- Bradycardia (a slow heart rate)
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Liver enzyme elevations
- Migraine
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness.
Related questions
- Gilenya vs Tecfidera. How do they compare?
- Can Gilenya cause high blood pressure?
- Can Gilenya cause weight gain?
How does Gilenya work?
Gilenya works by blocking the migration of lymphocytes (a type of immune cell) from the lymph nodes into the bloodstream.
Although it is not exactly known how fingolimod exerts its effects in multiple sclerosis it may be due to a decrease in the migration of lymphocytes into the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).
Gilenya will not cure MS, it will only decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms.
What is Gilenya made from?
Gilenya is derived from myriocin (ISP-1), a natural immunosuppressant, and metabolite of the fungus Isaria sinclairii.
It was first made by Yoshitomi Pharmaceuticals in 1992 from ISP-I through chemical modification.
References
- Gilenya (fingolimod) [Package Inserts]. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation https://www.drugs.com/pro/gilenya.html
- Novartis Pharma GmbH/Germany, Bloomberg.com https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/7016557Z:GR
Read next
Can Gilenya cause headaches?
Yes, headaches are a common side effect with Gilenya and have been reported to occur in 10% or more of people in clinical studies. But if you have a sudden severe headache, or a headache with fever, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, nausea, or confusion, call your doctor right away. Continue reading
Gilenya and the covid-19 vaccine, what should I know?
According to the National MS Society, COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people with MS taking Gilenya. If you are about to start Gilenya, then the National MS Society recommend that you should consider getting fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to starting Gilenya. If you are already taking Gilenya, continue taking it as your doctor has prescribed and get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Continue reading
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Drug information
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