Tecfidera
Tecfidera generic name: Dimethyl Fumarate
What is Tecfidera used for?
Dimethyl fumarate is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). It is not a cure for MS. It helps decrease the number of episodes of worsening MS.
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Multiple SclerosisTecfidera Prices
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What does Tecfidera look like?
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Tecfidera Frequently Asked Questions
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking dimethyl fumarate 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 twice daily. Your doctor should usually direct you to start this medication at a low dose for the first 7 days of treatment and to increase your dose after 7 days. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. If flushing occurs, taking this medication with food may reduce this side effect. Taking a plain (non-enteric coated) aspirin 30 minutes before taking this medication may also help prevent flushing. Ask your doctor if this treatment is right for you.
Swallow the capsules whole. Do not open, crush, or chew the capsules. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects.
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.
Tell your doctor if your condition gets worse.
Flushing/warmth, redness, itching, and burning feeling of the skin may occur. Taking this drug with food may reduce flushing. Stomach/abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may also occur. These effects usually improve or go away as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
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 lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills, blisters).
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: symptoms of liver damage (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine), black/bloody stools, vomit that contains blood or looks like coffee grounds, coughing up blood.
This medication may increase your risk of getting a rare but very serious (sometimes fatal) brain infection (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy-PML). Get medical help right away if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: clumsiness, loss of coordination, weakness, sudden change in your thinking (such as confusion, difficulty concentrating), difficulty moving your muscles, problems with speech, seizure, vision changes.
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/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
