Dimethyl fumarate STADA Nordic
Dimethyl fumarate Stada Nordic is a medicine used to treat a type of multiple sclerosis (MS) by helping your body's defense system not harm your brain and spinal cord.
Form
enterokapseli, kova
Strength
120 mg
Active Ingredient
Dimethyl fumarate
Manufacturer
STADA Nordic ApS
How to Use
Dosage
Start with 120 mg twice a day for 7 days. After that, the usual dose is 240 mg twice a day.
Method
Swallow the capsules whole with water. Do not break, crush, dissolve, suck, or chew them. Take this medicine with food to help reduce some common side effects.
Important
The maximum daily dose is 480 mg (240 mg taken twice a day).
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Flushing (redness, warmth, burning, or itching of the skin on your face or body)
- •Diarrhea
- •Nausea
- •Stomach pain or cramps
- •Gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines)
- •Vomiting
- •Indigestion
- •Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
- •Rash
- •Red or pink patches on the skin (erythema)
- •Hair loss
- •Low white blood cells (lymphopenia, leukopenia) detected in blood tests
- •Protein in urine (albumin) detected in urine tests
- •Elevated liver enzymes (ALAT, ASAT) detected in blood tests
- •Headache
- •Sore throat
- •Cough
- •Painful menstruation
RARE
- •Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity)
- •Low platelet count
- •Liver inflammation and increased liver enzymes (ALAT or ASAT combined with bilirubin)
- •Shingles (herpes zoster infection), with symptoms like blisters, burning, itching, or pain on one side of the body or face, fever, weakness, numbness, or red patches.
- •Runny nose
- •Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or tongue (angioedema)
- •Wheezing, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath (dyspnea, hypoxia)
- •Dizziness or fainting (hypotension)
Important Warnings
- Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to dimethyl fumarate or any of its other ingredients.
- Do not take this medicine if you have or suspect you have a rare brain infection called PML. If you notice new or worsening MS symptoms like weakness, vision changes, confusion, memory loss, or speech problems, contact your doctor right away, as these could be signs of PML.
- This medicine can affect your white blood cell count, kidneys, and liver. Your doctor will do blood tests before and regularly during treatment to check these.
- Tell your doctor if you have severe kidney or liver disease, stomach or bowel problems, or a serious infection (like pneumonia).
- Shingles (herpes zoster) can occur while taking this medicine. If you think you have symptoms of shingles, tell your doctor right away.
Show 5 more warnings
- A rare but serious kidney problem (Fanconi syndrome) has been reported. If you urinate more than usual, feel very thirsty, drink more, have weak muscles, bone pain, or a fracture, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
- This medicine is not for children under 13 years old.
- Avoid strong alcoholic drinks (over 30% alcohol by volume) for one hour before and after taking this medicine.
- Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant unless your doctor says it is absolutely necessary. If you are breastfeeding, discuss with your doctor whether to stop breastfeeding or stop the medicine.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all other medicines you are taking, especially other psoriasis medicines (fumarates), medicines that affect your immune system (like chemotherapy or other MS treatments), medicines that affect your kidneys (like some antibiotics, water pills, pain relievers such as ibuprofen, and lithium), and live vaccines.