Fintepla: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage, Interactions, and More
Fintepla (fenfluramine) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat seizures from certain epilepsy conditions. Fintepla comes as an oral solution.
Fintepla is used in adults and certain children to treat seizures from the following types of epilepsy:
To learn more about Fintepla’s uses, see the “What is Fintepla taken for?” section.
Fintepla basics
Fintepla contains the active ingredient fenfluramine. It belongs to a group of drugs called antiseizure drugs.
Fintepla is a brand-name medication. A generic version of the drug isn’t currently available.
Fintepla has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “What should be considered before taking Fintepla?” section.
What are some frequently asked questions about Fintepla?
Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Fintepla.
Is Fintepla a controlled substance?
No, Fintepla is not a controlled substance. A controlled substance is a drug the government regulates due to the risk of misuse or dependence. With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it is prescribed. With dependence, your body needs the drug to feel the way it usually does.
But some other drugs that treat seizures are controlled substances. Examples include clobazam (Onfi, Sympazan) and clonazepam (Klonopin).
If you have other questions about Fintepla and controlled substances, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does Fintepla have any cardiac side effects?
Yes, Fintepla has certain cardiac side effects. These are side effects related to the heart.
Possible cardiac side effects of Fintepla include:
Fintepla has a boxed warning for the risks of PAH and valvular heart disease. For more information, see the “What should be considered before taking Fintepla?” section.
If you have questions about these side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Fintepla is used to treat seizures in adults and children ages 2 years and older with the following types of epilepsy:
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome are rare but severe forms of epilepsy. Each condition may cause different types of seizures. These conditions may also cause other symptoms, such as behavior problems and difficulty with learning.
It’s not fully known how Fintepla works to treat seizures related to epilepsy. But it’s thought that the drug increases the level of a certain chemical in the brain. A higher level of this chemical may help treat seizures.
What are Fintepla’s side effects?
Like most drugs, Fintepla may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below include some of the more common side effects that Fintepla may cause. These lists don’t include all the possible side effects.
Side effects might differ slightly between people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and people with Dravet syndrome. Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can also depend on:
- your age
- other health conditions you have
- other medications you take
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Fintepla. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.
Mild side effects
Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Fintepla can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or read Fintepla’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects of Fintepla that have been reported include:
- digestive side effects, such as:
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- constipation
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- feelings of discomfort, fatigue (low energy), weakness, or lethargy
- sleepiness
- drooling
- fever
- upper respiratory infection
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Fintepla can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Fintepla, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects of Fintepla that have been reported include:
- difficulty with muscle coordination, which may cause problems with walking and balance
- high blood pressure
- glaucoma
- suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- status epilepticus (a severe and long lasting seizure episode)
- boxed warning: risks of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and valvular heart disease
For more information about the boxed warning, see the “What should be considered before taking Fintepla?” section.
Allergic reaction
For some people, Fintepla can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Fintepla.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
Your doctor can confirm whether you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Fintepla. If so, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Fintepla that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.
Form and strength
Fintepla comes as an oral solution. It’s available in one strength of 2.2 milligrams per milliliter of solution (also written as 2.2 mg/mL).
Recommended dosage
Fintepla is used in adults and children ages 2 years and older with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome. The recommended dosage is the same for adults and children with either condition.
Your doctor will prescribe a Fintepla dosage based on your body weight in kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
The starting dosage of Fintepla is usually 0.1 mg per kg taken twice daily. As an example, a person who weighs 66 kg (about 145 lb) would take 6.6 mg (3 mL) twice daily.
Your doctor may increase your Fintepla dosage each week until the drug works for your condition. The maximum recommended dosage is 0.35 mg/kg twice daily, up to a total of 26 mg daily.
To learn more about Fintepla’s dosage, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions about taking Fintepla
Below are some common questions about taking Fintepla.
- Should I take Fintepla with food? You can take Fintepla with or without food.
- Is there a best time of day to take Fintepla? You’ll take Fintepla twice daily. It’s best to take it around the same times each day. This helps keep a consistent level of the drug in your body, which helps Fintepla work effectively.
- What if I miss a dose of Fintepla? If you miss a dose of Fintepla, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and then take the next dose at its usual time. You should not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects.
- Will I need to take Fintepla long term? Fintepla is typically taken as a long-term treatment. You and your doctor can determine whether it’s safe and effective for your condition. If you agree that it is, you’ll likely take it long term.
- How long does Fintepla take to work? Fintepla begins to work after you take your first dose. But you may not notice the drug working right away. In studies, many people started having fewer seizures about 4 weeks after starting treatment.
Overdose
Do not take more Fintepla than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- dilated pupils
- increased heart rate
- flushing
- muscle spasm, tremor, or seizure
- restlessness, agitation, or anxiety
- difficulty breathing
In rare cases, an overdose of Fintepla may lead to coma or death.
What to do in case you take too much Fintepla
Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Fintepla. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.
What should be considered before taking Fintepla?
Below is important information you should consider before taking Fintepla.
Interactions
Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other substances can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.
Fintepla can interact with several other medications and certain supplements. But it’s not known to interact with any foods.
Before taking Fintepla, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Drug interactions
Below is a list of medications that can interact with Fintepla. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Fintepla. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
| Drug group or drug name | Drug examples |
|---|---|
| tramadol (ConZip, Qdolo) | — |
| dextromethorphan (Delsym) | — |
| lithium (Lithobid) | — |
| certain other antiseizure drugs | • clobazam (Onfi, Sympazan) • stiripentol (Diacomit) |
| certain antidepressants | • serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as venlafaxine (Effexor XR) • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, others) • tricyclic antidepressants, such as nortriptyline (Pamelor) |
| triptans | • sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra, others) • rizatriptan (RizaFilm, Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT) |
Fintepla and alcohol
It is not safe to consume alcohol while taking Fintepla. This is because alcohol may worsen certain side effects of Fintepla, such as sleepiness and lethargy.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor before starting Fintepla treatment.
Other interactions
Fintepla can interact with other substances, including certain supplements.
Specifically, Fintepla interacts with St. John’s wort and tryptophan supplements. Your doctor will likely recommend that you avoid taking these supplements during your Fintepla treatment.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Fintepla during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or planning for either, talk with your doctor before starting Fintepla treatment.
If you become pregnant while taking Fintepla, tell your doctor right away. They may advise you to enroll in this pregnancy registry. Doing so can help the drugmaker learn more about the drug’s use during pregnancy.
To learn more about the pregnancy registry, call 888-233-2334 or talk with your doctor.
Boxed warning
Fintepla has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Fintepla may increase the risks of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and valvular heart disease. With PAH, you have high blood pressure in the blood vessels of your lungs. With valvular heart disease, you have damage to at least one of the valves in your heart.
Symptoms of PAH and valvular heart disease may include:
- chest pain
- dizziness
- fatigue (low energy)
- shortness of breath
- swelling in your abdomen, face, legs, or ankles
Because of this risk, you’ll receive the drug through the Fintepla Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program. This program assists in managing the risk of PAH and valvular heart disease with Fintepla.
Your doctor will give you an echocardiogram to watch for these conditions. They’ll give you this test before prescribing Fintepla and every 6 months during treatment. They’ll also repeat this test 3 months and 6 months after your last Fintepla dose.
Abnormal echocardiogram results were common in studies of Fintepla, but there were no reports of PAH or valvular heart disease. However, these conditions have been reported with drugs that work similarly to Fintepla.
If you have abnormal echocardiogram results, your doctor will recommend whether it’s safe to take Fintepla.
To learn more about this boxed warning, talk with your doctor.
Other warnings
Fintepla can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Fintepla is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Fintepla. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:
- liver problems, such as liver failure
- kidney problems, such as kidney failure
- mental health conditions or mood problems, including suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- previous allergic reaction to Fintepla
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
Help is out there
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Fintepla. What you’ll pay for Fintepla may depend on several factors, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.
Here are a few factors to consider regarding cost:
- Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks to get estimates of what you’d pay for some medications when using coupons from the site. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)
- Savings program: If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. The ONWARD Copay Assistance Program may also be available.
You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.
Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Fintepla, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.
The following drugs are similar to Fintepla:
- cannabidiol (Epidiolex)
- clobazam (Onfi)
- clonazepam (Klonopin)
- rufinamide (Banzel)
- stiripentol (Diacomit)
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
What is Fintepla used for?
Fintepla is primarily used to treat seizures associated with Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy that begins in infancy.
What are the common side effects of Fintepla?
Common side effects of Fintepla include decreased appetite, diarrhea, high blood pressure, sleepiness, and fatigue. Always consult your doctor for a complete list of side effects.
How should I take Fintepla?
Fintepla should be taken as prescribed by your healthcare provider. The dosage typically depends on the patient’s age, weight, and response to the treatment. It’s usually taken orally with or without food.
Can Fintepla interact with other medications?
Yes, Fintepla can interact with other medications. It’s important to inform your healthcare provider about all the medications and supplements you are currently taking to avoid potential interactions.
Is Fintepla safe for children?
Fintepla is approved for use in children aged two years and older with Dravet syndrome. However, its safety and effectiveness in younger children or for conditions other than Dravet syndrome have not been established.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Fintepla?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for a missed one.
Are there any precautions I should take while using Fintepla?
Yes, inform your doctor if you have a history of heart problems or depression. Avoid consuming alcohol while on Fintepla, as it can increase certain side effects like drowsiness.
