This medication is used to treat multiple sclerosis
(MS). Ozanimod is not a cure for MS but it is thought to help by preventing
immune system cells (lymphocytes) from attacking the nerves in your brain
and spinal cord. It helps decrease the number of episodes of disease
worsening (relapses) and may prevent or delay disability.
Ozanimod is also used to treat a certain bowel disease
(ulcerative colitis). It helps to reduce symptoms of ulcerative colitis
such as diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and stomach pain.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist
before you start taking ozanimod and each time you get a refill. If you
have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once a day or every other day. Swallow the
capsule whole.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and
response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may
direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase
your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time on the days you are
scheduled to take the medication.
Do not increase your dose or take this medication more
often than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your
risk of side effects will increase.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting
your doctor. Your condition may become worse when this drug is suddenly
stopped. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report any new
or worsening symptoms right away.
The manufacturer recommends you avoid certain foods and
beverages that are high in tyramine, since these may increase your blood
pressure while you are taking ozanimod. These include: aged cheeses,
dried/aged meats and sausages (such as salami, liverwurst), preserved fish
(such as pickled herring), products that contain large amounts of yeast
(such as bouillon cubes, powdered soup/gravy, homemade or sourdough bread),
fermented foods (such as sauerkraut, kim chee), most soybean products (such
as soy sauce, tofu), broad/fava beans, red wine, sherry, tap beers,
vermouth, among others. Ask your doctor or dietician for more details and
for a list of foods to limit or avoid.
Tell your doctor if your condition gets
worse.
Back pain, dizziness, and lightheadedness may occur.
Slow heartbeat may also occur, especially when you first start this
medication. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or
pharmacist promptly.
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get
up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check
your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are
high.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- signs of liver disease (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't
stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark
urine)
- shortness of breath
- unusual tiredness
This medication can weaken your immune system/increase
the risk of infection while you are taking it and for 3 months after your
last dose. You may be more likely to get a serious (possibly fatal)
infection (such as bronchitis, herpes). Tell your doctor right away if you
develop any signs of an infection such as sore throat/cough that doesn't go
away, difficulty breathing, fever/chills, cold/flu symptoms, sores, or
blisters. Do not start ozanimod if you already have an
infection.
This medication may increase your risk of getting a rare
but very serious (possibly fatal) brain infection (progressive multifocal
leukoencephalopathy-PML). Symptoms of PML can seem like a worsening MS
attack. Get medical help right away if you have any of these side
effects:
- clumsiness
- loss of coordination/balance
- weakness
- sudden change in your thinking (such as confusion, difficulty
concentrating, memory loss)
- difficulty talking/walking
- seizure
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- very slow heartbeat
- fast/irregular heartbeat
- severe dizziness
- fainting
- eye pain/sensitivity to light
- vision changes (such as blurred vision, blind spot/shadows in
the center of your vision, color changes)
- sudden/severe headache
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking ozanimod, tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product
may contain inactive ingredients which can cause allergic reactions or
other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- breathing problems (such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema,
sleep apnea)
- current/recent/returning infection (including hepatitis and
tuberculosis)
- diabetes
- certain eye problems (macular edema, uveitis)
- heart problems (such as slow/irregular heartbeat, heart
failure, previous heart attack, chest pain, QT prolongation in the
EKG)
- high blood pressure
- liver problems
- smoking
- stroke/mini-stroke
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana
(cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do
anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Ozanimod can make you more likely to get infections or
may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an
infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles,
flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for
more details.
Tell your doctor your vaccine history and ask if you
need to get any vaccines before starting treatment with this medication. If
a live vaccine is needed, it should be given at least one month before
starting this medication. Tell your health care professional that you are
using ozanimod before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid getting
a live vaccine while using this medication and for 3 months after the last
dose of this medication. Avoid contact with people who have recently
received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the
nose).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using ozanimod. Ozanimod may
harm an unborn baby. Ask about reliable forms of birth control while using
this medication and for 3 months after the last dose. If you become
pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of
this medication.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast
milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
See also How to Use section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug
are:
- other drugs that weaken the immune system/increase the risk
of infection (such as natalizumab, rituximab, alemtuzumab)
Do not take any MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid,
linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine,
procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during
treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be
taken for two weeks before and after treatment with this medication. Ask
your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count,
blood pressure, pulse, EKG, MRI, eye exams, liver/lung function) should be
done before you start taking this medication and while you are taking it.
Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more
details.
It is very important to follow your treatment schedule
as directed by your doctor. Ask your doctor ahead of time what you should
do if you miss a dose of ozanimod. If you miss a dose during the first 14
days of treatment, you may need to start at a lower dose again and slowly
increase it. If you miss a dose after the first 14 days of treatment, skip
the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the
dose to catch up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.