Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my fingolimod

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your fingolimod using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for fingolimod, Canadian Prescription Savings for fingolimod, fingolimod Drug Coupons, fingolimod Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is fingolimod available in?

Accepted Answer

fingolimod is available as a 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg oral capsule.

Question 3

What is fingolimod used for?

Accepted Answer

fingolimod is a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator and is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Question 4

How does fingolimod work?

Accepted Answer

fingolimod is a disease-modifying treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). More specifically, it’s a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator. The exact way it works to treat MS is unknown. But it’s thought that fingolimod lowers the number of white blood cells in your body, thus lessening the damage these cells cause to your nerves.

Question 5

How do I take fingolimod?

Accepted Answer

fingolimod is typically dosed as 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg by mouth once daily.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take fingolimod?

Accepted Answer

fingolimod is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have had a recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), decompensated heart failure with hospitalization, or Class III/IV heart failure, a history of Mobitz Type II 2nd degree or 3rd degree AV block or sick sinus syndrome, unless you have a pacemaker, a baseline QTc interval ≥ 500 msec, cardiac arrhythmias requiring anti-arrhythmic treatment with Class Ia or Class III anti-arrhythmic drugs, or a hypersensitivity to fingolimod or its excipients.

Question 7

fingolimod Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of fingolimod include:  Headache High liver enyzmes Nausea Diarrhea Cough Stomach pain Influenza Sinus inflammation Pain in back Pain in arms or legs

Question 8

fingolimod Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with fingolimod. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  Dangerously slow heart rate: tiredness, weakness, confusion, feeling faint, trouble breathing, chest pain Swelling in your brain: severe headache, sudden confusion, change in vision, seizure Serious brain infection: weakness on one side of the body, clumsiness, confusion, changes in personality, changes in vision, headache, stiff neck, light sensitivity, fever, seizures Other serious infections: fever, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, weakness, cough, stomach pain, sweating, chills Serious liver problems: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, swelling of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, clay-colored stool, confusions

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on fingolimod

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with fingolimod:  Systemic ketoconazole – Monitor during concomitant use. Vaccines – Avoid live attenuated vaccines during, and for 2 months after stopping fingolimod treatment

Question 10

Who makes fingolimod?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is fingolimod safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

fingolimod may cause harm to your unborn baby if taken while pregnant. It’s recommended to use birth control and avoid pregnancy during treatment and for at least 2 months after the last dose of fingolimod. There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to fingolimod during pregnancy. You can register in the fingolimod Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-877-598-7237, sending an email to gpr@quintiles.com, or visiting fingolimod pregnancy registry

Question 12

What is the brand name for fingolimod?

Accepted Answer

GILENYA

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my fingolimod prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your fingolimod prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient fingolimod savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient fingolimod savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for fingolimod	Canadian Prescription Savings* for fingolimod	fingolimod Drug Coupon*	fingolimod Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of fingolimod?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for fingolimod	Canadian Prescription Savings* for fingolimod	fingolimod Drug Coupon*	fingolimod Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the fingolimod savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the fingolimod drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for fingolimod, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the fingolimod prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, fingolimod is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed fingolimod for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the fingolimod prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the fingolimod prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for fingolimod

If you are having trouble paying for your fingolimod medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for fingolimod you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
fingolimod is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers fingolimod
If fingolimod is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for fingolimod

If you are having trouble paying for your fingolimod medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for fingolimod you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers fingolimod
If fingolimod is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for fingolimod

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your fingolimod treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for fingolimod you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for fingolimod
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.