Safety and tolerability of fingolimod in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: results of an open-label clinical trial in Italy

The safety profile of fingolimod is well established in clinical trials and post-marketing studies. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of fingolimod in a cohort of Italian patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). This is a non-comparative, open-label, multicentre, interventional study conducted in patients with RRMS with no suitable alternative treatment option. Safety and tolerability of fingolimod 0.5 mg were assessed by recording adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs (SAEs). Of the 906 patients enrolled in the study, 91 % of the patients completed the study. AEs and SAEs were reported in 35.4 and 2.9 % of the patients, respectively. Most common AEs reported were headache (4.1 %), influenza (2.1 %), lymphopenia (1.8 %), asthenia (1.8 %) and pyrexia (1.8 %). Increased alanine aminotransferase levels and hypertension were reported as AE in 1.0 and 1.4 % of the patients, respectively. Macular oedema was reported in three patients. These results emphasize the safety of fingolimod in patients representing the real-world clinical practice in the Italian population. Fingolimod was safe and well tolerated in this population, which, compared to those enrolled in pivotal trials in terms of concomitant diseases and used medications, is broader. Trial registration: EudraCT 2011-000770-60.