Tecfidera

Generic name: Dimethyl Fumarate
Drug class: Selective immunosuppressants

Usage of Tecfidera

Tecfidera is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults (including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease).

Tecfidera is available as hard gelatin delayed-release capsules in two strengths containing either 120 mg or 240 mg of dimethyl fumarate.

It is not known if Tecfidera is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

Tecfidera side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Tecfidera: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Dimethyl fumarate may cause a serious brain infection that can lead to disability or death. Call your doctor right away if you have problems with speech, thought, vision, or muscle movement. These symptoms may start gradually and get worse quickly.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

symptoms of herpes virus - flu-like symptoms, cold sores around your mouth, tingly or painful blistering rash, burning pain in your thigh or lower back;

low white blood cell counts - fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing; or

liver problems - loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common Tecfidera side effects include:

stomach pain, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

redness, rash, itching; or

flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Tecfidera

You should not use Tecfidera if you have had a severe allergic reaction to dimethyl fumarate or diroximel fumarate (Vumerity).

To make sure Tecfidera is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

an active infection; or

low white blood cell (WBC) counts.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of dimethyl fumarate on the baby.

Tecfidera is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Tecfidera

Usual Adult Dose for Multiple Sclerosis:

Initial dose: 120 mg orally twice a day for 7 days Maintenance dose: 240 mg orally twice a day Approved indication: The treatment of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Warnings

Before taking and while you take Tecfidera, tell your doctor if you have or have had a low white blood cell counts or an infection.

Tecfidera may cause a serious viral infection of the brain that can lead to disability or death. Call your doctor right away if you have any change in your mental state, decreased vision, weakness on one side of your body, or problems with speech or walking. These symptoms may start gradually and get worse quickly.

What other drugs will affect Tecfidera

Other drugs may interact with dimethyl fumarate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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