Tecfidera capsule
What is 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.
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.
Before taking this medicine
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.
How should I take Tecfidera?
Take Tecfidera exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using Tecfidera.
You may take Tecfidera with or without food. Taking the medicine with food may help prevent flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).
Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.
While using this medicine, you will need frequent blood tests.
Store this medicine in the original container at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.
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).
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.
