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Drug Interactions between Tecfidera and TheraCys

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

BCG dimethyl fumarate

Applies to: TheraCys (bcg) and Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate)

CONTRAINDICATED: Administration of intravesical BCG during immunosuppressant or intense antineoplastic therapy may be associated with a risk of disseminated infection due to enhanced replication of the BCG strain of Mycobacterium bovis in the presence of diminished immune competence. Deaths have been reported as a result of systemic BCG infection and sepsis. Patients may be immunosuppressed if they have recently received or are receiving alkylating agents, antimetabolites, radiation, some antirheumatic agents, high dosages of corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic agents (e.g., greater than or equal to 2 mg/kg/day or 20 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent for 14 consecutive days or more), or long-term topical or inhaled corticosteroids. In addition, these patients may not develop an adequate immune response to BCG, which would reduce its anti-tumor efficacy.

MANAGEMENT: Use of intravesical BCG in immunosuppressed patients with congenital or acquired immune deficiencies, including those due to concurrent disease (e.g., AIDS, leukemia, lymphoma), cancer therapy (e.g., cytotoxic drugs, radiation) or immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., corticosteroids), is considered contraindicated. Clinicians should be aware that BCG may persist in the urinary tract for several months after BCG instillations, and delayed manifestations of disseminated BCG infection may develop months or years after BCG therapy. Patients who receive cancer or immunosuppressive therapy after BCG instillation may be at increased risk.

References

  1. Rawls WH, Lamm DL, Lowe BA, et al. (1990) "Fatal sepsis following intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin administration for bladder cancer." J Urol, 144, p. 1328-30
  2. Lamm DL, Stogdill VD, Stogdill BJ, Crispen RG (1986) "Complications of bacillus Calmette-Guerin immunotherapy in 1,278 patients with bladder cancer." J Urol, 135, p. 272-4
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  5. "Product Information. Tice BCG Live (for intravesical use) (BCG)." Organon Pharmaceuticals
  6. CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019) General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization: Altered Immunocompetence. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/general-recs/immunocompetence.pdf
View all 6 references

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Drug and food interactions

Minor

dimethyl fumarate food

Applies to: Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate)

Food does not significantly affect the oral bioavailability of dimethyl fumarate. Administration of dimethyl fumarate with a high-fat, high-calorie meal did not affect the systemic exposure (AUC) to its active metabolite, monomethyl fumarate (MMF), but decreased its peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by 40% and prolonged the time to reach peak concentration (Tmax) from 2.0 hours to 5.5 hours. In the study, the incidence of flushing was reduced by approximately 25% in the fed state. Dimethyl fumarate may be taken with or without food; however, taking it with food may help reduce flushing.

References

  1. (2013) "Product Information. Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate)." Biogen

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.


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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.