Dimethyl Fumarate
Multiple Sclerosis
Treatment
1 FDA approval
20 Active Studies for Dimethyl Fumarate
Treatment for
Multiple Sclerosis
What is Dimethyl Fumarate
Dimethyl fumarate
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Dimethyl fumarate is an anti-inflammatory medication used to treat multiple sclerosis with relapsing forms. It is also being studied as a possible treatment for psoriasis. The exact way that it works is not yet known, but it is believed to activate a pathway in the body called the Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway which is triggered when the body is exposed to oxidative stress. Dimethyl fumarate is known by the brand name Tecfidera.
Tecfidera
is the brand name
Dimethyl Fumarate Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Tecfidera
Dimethyl fumarate
2013
54
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Dimethyl fumarate, otherwise called Tecfidera, is approved by the FDA for 1 uses like Multiple Sclerosis .
Multiple Sclerosis
Helps manage Multiple Sclerosis
Effectiveness
How Dimethyl Fumarate Affects Patients
We don't know exactly how dimethyl fumarate affects the body, but it is believed to reduce inflammation and protect cells. It is used to treat multiple sclerosis, but can lead to serious infections, a decrease in white blood cells, liver damage, anaphylaxis, and swelling of the face and throat. While it does not usually cause long-term changes to the heart rate, it is still important to speak with a doctor about any possible side effects.
How Dimethyl Fumarate works in the body
We don't know exactly how dimethyl fumarate works to treat multiple sclerosis, but it appears to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. It does this by increasing a protein called Nrf2 and decreasing a protein called NF-kappa B, which are both involved in the inflammatory process. Dimethyl fumarate also changes the composition of immune cells, making them less likely to cause inflammation.
When to interrupt dosage
The quantity of Dimethyl Fumarate is contingent upon the diagnosed state. The amount further varies as per the method of delivery (e.g. Capsule, delayed release - Oral or Oral) indicated in the table hereunder.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Multiple Sclerosis
, 120.0 mg, 240.0 mg, 360.0 mg, 30.0 mg
, Capsule, delayed release, Oral, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, delayed release
Warnings
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Dimethyl Fumarate.
Common Dimethyl Fumarate Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Dimethyl fumarate is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.
Acteoside
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Dimethyl fumarate is combined with Acteoside.
Antilymphocyte immunoglobulin (horse)
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Dimethyl fumarate is combined with Antilymphocyte immunoglobulin (horse).
Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain russian BCG-I live antigen
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain russian BCG-I live antigen can be decreased when used in combination with Dimethyl fumarate.
Baricitinib
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Dimethyl fumarate is combined with Baricitinib.
Dimethyl Fumarate Toxicity & Overdose Risk
Overdosing on dimethyl fumarate has been reported. There are no specific treatments to remove the drug from the body or counteract the overdose. Symptoms can be managed with supportive care. In animal studies, mice given high doses of dimethyl fumarate had a higher risk of developing tumors in their stomachs and kidneys. At a lower dose, which is equivalent to the recommended human dose, there was no evidence of tumors. Dimethyl fumarate did not cause mutations in bacteria, but did cause chromosomal changes in human cells in laboratory tests.
Dimethyl Fumarate Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Dimethyl Fumarate?
Currently, 193 active studies are investigating the potential of Dimethyl Fumarate to provide a therapeutic benefit for Multiple Sclerosis.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Multiple Sclerosis
127 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 4, Phase 2, Phase 1, Early Phase 1
Dimethyl Fumarate Reviews: What are patients saying about Dimethyl Fumarate?
5
Patient Review
1/12/2015
Dimethyl Fumarate for Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
4.7
Patient Review
10/8/2013
Dimethyl Fumarate for Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
4.3
Patient Review
2/15/2019
Dimethyl Fumarate for Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Patient Q&A Section about dimethyl fumarate
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
What is another name for dimethyl fumarate?
"Dimethyl fumarate is a DMT for relapsing MS that comes in the form of a tablet. Its brand name is Tecfidera."
Answered by AI
What is dimethyl fumarate used for?
"This medicine is used to treat the relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease. This medicine will not cure MS, but it may slow some disabling effects and decrease the number of relapses of the disease."
Answered by AI
Is dimethyl fumarate toxic?
"Some potential side effects of multiple sclerosis medication include flushing, gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and nausea, and upper abdominal pain. There are also warnings about the possibility of more serious reactions such as anaphylaxis and angioedema, PML, lymphopenia, and liver damage."
Answered by AI
Is dimethyl fumarate FDA approved?
"In March of 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of dimethyl fumarate for the first-line treatment of adults with relapsing forms of MS. Dimethyl fumarate is a nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2) activator, which means it helps to improve the function of cells."
Answered by AI