Tecfidera User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• SMano
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 2, 2021

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."

• Neado
• January 26, 2016

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????"

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

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?"

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

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."

• Alori
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2022

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)."

• uthi
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 25, 2022

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..."

• Donna...
• January 24, 2014

For Multiple Sclerosis "Tecfidera has made sure I have not had any more lesions."

• kdeer
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 7, 2023

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."

• Lmarien
• February 17, 2015

For Multiple Sclerosis "No relapses. Extreme hair loss. Annoying flushing side effect BUT it working."

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

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."

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

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."

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

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."

• Thomasp
• July 24, 2015

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."

• Ldybug
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2019

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."

• Sasvbl
• October 20, 2020

For Multiple Sclerosis "Love this! Minimum of side effects, hope this will work for years!"

• Anonymous
• May 20, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "So far so good minor side effects that are tolerable.. A little itching some flashing but not bad at all compared to side effects of avonex which I lasted 3 months on."

• Nikki
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2020

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed Sept 2018 with MS and started tecfidera. I was symptom free for a year but doc says got few more lesions so they want to change to gilenya I'm scared."

• Mina
• March 27, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "The only thing I am worried about is Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). I hope it will never come to me. "

• Lucky...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2016

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been taking Tecfidera for approximately one year and have had no flushing but it seemed to have taken fix months to begin its anti-inflammatory effect."

• geeli...
• March 3, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "Had a lot of hair lose in the first three months. Then started to have shock sensations of the head and body in the third month. I totally stopped taking at that point."

• buddy
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 5, 2020

For Multiple Sclerosis "certainly not the most comfortable medication in terms of sideffects;joint ligaments discomfort, hip , evil "

• Jan
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 31, 2020

For Multiple Sclerosis "Taking this drug for 8 months and since the first day my MS has become steadily worse. Do I continue to take it? So confused"

• Flipper
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 2, 2019

For Multiple Sclerosis "Dx in 05 , started taking after 80+ Tysabri sessions ; no adverse effects whatsoever !"