Dimethyl fumarate User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

Brand names: Tecfidera

Dimethyl fumarate has an average rating of 6.5 out of 10 from a total of 109 reviews on Drugs.com. 51% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 25% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Dimethyl fumarate

Anonymous
Taken for 2 to 5 years
May 23, 2017

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "Diagnosis with MS in 2010....initially started on with Avanox. Hated giving myself injection and the pen activated injection was absolutely stupid for my fear. After having three strokes aided in the complications...then started on Tecfidera. As I told the neurologist, everything above the shoulders has gotten better and everything below the shoulder has gotten worst. Interesting is I was diagnosis with blood clotting disorder as well. Took Lovenox for this at first and no MS medication. I'll actually did better."

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SMano
Taken for 5 to 10 years
February 2, 2021

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "Been on Tecfidera for 7+ years. When I first started it the ramp up from 140 mg to 240 mg was too fast. Got really sick. So I told my Dr. I wanted to taper it. I took 140 mg 2x day for a month+, then moved to 140 mg in AM and 240 mg in PM for 2+ months then I finally got up to full dose in about 4 months. Seemed to work. No new lesions and minor flushing. BUT after only 12 months on it my lymphocytes dropped from my normal 2.0 to as low as 0.4. They have hovered around 0.5 - 0.8 for years now. The Dr. and Biogen keeps say as long as they don't go below 0.5 for 3 months its fine. I have always been worried about PML and now COVID. In recent 12 months have been considering going off it. However I have heard even if you do they do not come back to normal? I know most MS drugs will lower your WBC."

5 / 10

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Scste...
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
December 8, 2023

For Multiple Sclerosis "Everything seems to be going okay. I do get the flushing feeling, but not every time I take it. Sometimes the flushing hits me within 30 minutes, and sometimes it hits me a few hours after I take it. I personally love the days when I have no flushing. I will take what I can get."

8 / 10

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Frequently asked questions

Neado
January 26, 2016

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "I'm only new to this condition and the medication five weeks I have felt so sick with stomach pains but my doctor gave me gastritis tablets which have helped a lot not sure when the best time to take my medication is. Could I make the itchy redness go away or does it matter????"

5 / 10

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1307I...
Taken for 5 to 10 years
March 25, 2023

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "I had no problem switching from Rebif (taken from 1994-2016). I was hesitant because of the gastro side effects. I always have a large breakfast when I take the first dosage consisting of sugar free 0% fat Greek yogurt and other healthy fruit and grains. I think the yogurt helps. I never have had a stomach ache or diarrhea taking this drug. It is easier and less side effects than the newer harsher B cell infusion drugs like Ocrevus or Rituximab but maybe these are more effective depending on their latest MRI scans and disability?"

10 / 10

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Are you taking this medicine?

Bart
Taken for 2 to 5 years
October 24, 2023

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was on Tecfidera, the brand name for Dimethyl Fumarate, starting 15+ years ago. My insurance forced a switch to the generic. I've used the generic for years. The only side effect I ever had was flushing. That doesn't happen very often now. My MS symptoms have been stable for years now, no exacerbations for roughly 10 years."

10 / 10

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Filly
Taken for 1 to 2 years
August 14, 2020

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was on dimethyl fumarate for a little over a year and had nothing but issues. GI issues made it nearly impossible to eat and I was put on a steroid that I had a different reaction to. Flushing was a major issue and 1 baby aspirin was not helping so I had to take 2 every dose...4 a day. My blood was so thin that if I do much as gripped a pen too hard, I got a bruise. Sitting in class and lightly bump my knee on table? Bruise. Go swimming with my dog and her paw catches my leg? Bruised. I had so many bruises that people asked if I was being abused at home. I was miserable. Then, to make matters worse my neurologist didn’t even remember prescribing this drug to me. He only uses it for patients who also have psoriasis. Go figure. Thank goodness I didn’t pay for it because of copay assistance."

4 / 10

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More FAQ

Mary...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
January 11, 2022

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "I took this for over three years. Until the last year, I did great on it. I could take it on an empty stomach. Hair loss was minimal. In year 3 my lymphocyte count was too low and I was taken off of it. I had no new lesions while on it."

9 / 10

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Alori
Taken for less than 1 month
January 18, 2022

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed from CIS (transverse myelitis + positive oligoclonal bands) 7 months ago. I started taking this medication 2.5 weeks ago. First week on low dose, and from second week higher dose. I must say I was very scared from all the bad (short-term) side-effects described here by users. For me, I haven't had any single side effects (at least yet) except for diarrhea, just a bit annoying but I hope it will go away as soon as my body adapts. Occasionally I feel like my scalp feels a bit hot, but I never got the flushing and I am not sure if this is not just CIS symptoms that remained. I will get the monthly blood checkup and hope my values are all good to continue this medication. I just hope my CIS never develops into MS and this medication helps to prevent this. My neurologist suggested to consider stopping medication if no new lesions appear in the next 2-3 years. This would be ideal as I am worried about long-term effects (e.g. Higher cancer risk which was observed in vivo)."

9 / 10

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Super...
December 8, 2021

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Tecfidera Since June. It's December now. So that's what, 6 months. The beginning the flushing was BAD. VERY BAD, but after about month 3 they went away. I am sure to take it during meals, not sure if that helps with flushing but that how I do it. It's pretty hard on my energy level, but this is my first MS med, my follow up MRI showed showed no more lesions. No less, but no more. So I'm looking at that as a plus I have RRMS, diagnosed in May 2021"

6 / 10

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Sunny...
July 10, 2016

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have taken Tecfidera for about 2 years. I have had anemia a few times but nothing serious. I have had hair loss since I took the pill. I am taking the twice a day 240mg version of the pill. My doctor has not seen any more bigger lesions. The ones that I have are still there so they have not gone away. I took Gilenya for a year and did not tolerate it. I was like a robot. I would go the whole day without remembering what I had done. It also make my heart beat fast. My heart beats fast on Tecfidera sometimes and I have only had one panic attack. It was an adjustment to get on the Tecfidera but I think it helps. It is definitely not the cure. I have had less attacks but I am not working so I am not sure if it is the medicine."

6 / 10

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Frits...
February 15, 2016

For Multiple Sclerosis "DMF is already for longer than 35 years used for treating psoriasis in Germany. It is an excellent medication, if you use it right. In its basic for it is extremely cheap. The warnings for the brain disease are correct and caused by low lymphocytes, but this situation is easy to circumvent. The protocol that is prescribed by the producer is far too quick. You should do a much slower build up of the medication. During the build up there should be a very regular check on the lymphocytes and also when you are "leveled" you should have your lymph's checked regularly until you are sure that you are stable. Furthermore take the medication intermittently, 5 days meds vs 2 day no meds, is far more effective "

10 / 10

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uthi
Taken for 1 to 2 years
June 25, 2022

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "Multiple Sclerosis: “I was diagnosed with MS in June 2017; and was prescribed Tecfidera 2019. I was fine on the initial 120mg dose, but once I had to take the 240mg dose, I started having severe GI issues...vomiting, diarrhea, cramping...lost a lot of weight/body fat rapidly within a few days and could barely stand up by end of the day. So with medical adviceI stopped taking the Tecfidera for two months until my body got back to normal; then MS nurses gave me 120 mg capsules for week longer before increasing to the 240mg dose; and this time I started to take it with a meal with saturated fat content: using the 'Overcoming Multliple Sclerosis' Diet so I compromised (cashew nuts/soaked chia seeds/very small egg). Resulted in a better response: I've not had any significant new lesions up to last scan. I do get tingles, itchiness etc- if i forget to include fats etc. However now, after a year, my 3 monthly blood tests has been monthly for last three months as one count? is lower..."

8 / 10

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disgu...
January 22, 2024

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on this for about four months with some gastrointestinal issues, and flushing, but it's bearable. Now my issue is with Medicare Advantage plan that just denied my coverage! Why am I paying for a plan that denies every claim? Sent my neurological NP a text requesting an intervention."

8 / 10

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Dimet...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
January 3, 2024

For Multiple Sclerosis "Originally I overdosed on this med. This was years ago, so I'll recall as best I can. On my first 'Starter Pack', half-strength for the first week/month? But because the guy explaining it (I think English was his second language), he said 'No! You take TWO in the morning, two at night.' So that's what I did. I doubled the dose and had maybe one loose stool and also itchy red blisters. I wasn't alarmed. I knew they'd subside in time. I only realized when I ran out that I timed it to be running out on the evening dose, but it was the morning dose. Plus, it was like 12 days instead of a month. When I called to ask why, the nurse got to the bottom of our misunderstanding and said 'Sweetie, you've been taking 240 twice a day instead of 120'. I did tell my neurologist. But the effects of 'overdosing' were negligible for me."

10 / 10

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PeterO
Taken for 1 to 6 months
January 15, 2021

For Multiple Sclerosis "The only noticeable side effect was occasional flushing that went away after a few minutes. I had to stop taking this as my Lymph count dropped below 500. Waiting for my levels to return before trying something else."

7 / 10

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Donna...
January 24, 2014

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "Tecfidera has made sure I have not had any more lesions."

10 / 10

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kdeer
Taken for 5 to 10 years
November 7, 2023

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "Been on Tecfidera for 6+ years. Still experience flushing, but that is a small price to pay, considering the other MS medications I have been on in the past."

9 / 10

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Lmarien
February 17, 2015

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "No relapses. Extreme hair loss. Annoying flushing side effect BUT it working."

9 / 10

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Sandr...
Taken for less than 1 month
April 29, 2015

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "This drug made me so sick with flu symptoms that my doctor agreed to stop it after only three weeks. My MS symptoms became debilitating and improved soon after stopping the medication."

1 / 10

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Ginch...
Taken for less than 1 month
July 25, 2018

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "I just started Tecfidera. Aside from the expected nausea and loose stools, I immediately noticed that my joints hurt in my fingers, knees and ankles. Then I began to experience issues with my balance."

1 / 10

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Newly...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
October 27, 2019

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "Flushing and itching on first day. Taking baby aspirin and 24hr non drowsy Claritin. No more side effects. Always take at the end of meal."

9 / 10

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Thomasp
July 24, 2015

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "Drug seems to work well. I had the flushing bouts in the first month lasted all of 10 minutes This is the only drug I have been on since being diagnose in 11/14."

9 / 10

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Ldybug
Taken for 1 to 6 months
July 23, 2019

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "Diagnosed with MS 2015. Tecfidera is my 2nd MS medication, first was copaxone 40mg, no side effects so far except very mild flushing with my first pill. Been on it for 2 months."

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Sasvbl
October 20, 2020

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis "Love this! Minimum of side effects, hope this will work for years!"

9 / 10

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.