Monomethyl Fumarate
Monomethyl fumarate is used to treat adults with various forms of multiple sclerosis (MS; a disease in which the nerves do not function properly and people may experience weakness, numbness, loss of muscle coordination, and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control) including:
- clinically isolated syndrome (CIS; nerve symptom episodes that last at least 24 hours),
- relapsing-remitting forms (course of disease where symptoms flare up from time to time), or
- secondary progressive forms (course of disease where relapses occur more often).
Monomethyl fumarate is in a class of medications called Nrf2 activators. It works by decreasing inflammation and preventing nerve damage that may cause symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
🔔 How should this medicine be used?
Monomethyl fumarate comes as a delayed-release (releases the medication in the intestine to prevent break-down of the medication by stomach acids) capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken twice a day. Take monomethyl fumarate at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take monomethyl fumarate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Monomethyl fumarate may be taken with or without food.
Swallow the capsules whole; do not chew or crush them. Do not open the capsules or sprinkle the contents on food.
You may take a non-enteric coated aspirin (325 mg or less) 30 minutes before taking monomethyl fumarate to reduce the chance of flushing (facial redness) during your treatment.
One of the most important and most popular changes to the health insurance landscape brought about by the passing of the Affordable Care Act was the prohibition against denying patients health insurance, or charging them more, if they had preexisting conditions. Research shows that 27% of Americans in the 18 to 64 age group have what would have been considered a “declinable medical condition” before the Affordable Care Act took effect, and in some regions, the percentage of patients with preexisting conditions rises to nearly four in 10, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of monomethyl fumarate and increase your dose after 7 days.
Monomethyl fumarate may help to control multiple sclerosis, but will not cure it. Continue to take monomethyl fumarate even if you feel well. Do not stop taking monomethyl fumarate without talking to your doctor.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
