Vumerity (Diroximel fumarate) for Multiple Sclerosis

Overview
Vumerity is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease. Vumerity is also known by its drug name, Diroximel fumarate.

Vumerity contains the same active metabolite as Tecfidera (Dimethyl fumarate). When taken orally, Dimethyl fumarate is believed to convert rapidly to Monomethyl fumarate. Monomethyl fumarate serves as a transcription factor activator, turning on genes that encode proteins which prevent inflammation and nerve damage that may cause symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

How do I take it?
Vumerity is taken orally twice a day. It comes in the form of a delayed-release capsule.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Vumerity lists common side effects including abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and flushing.

Rare but serious side effects can include severe allergic reaction, reduction in white blood cell count, liver damage, opportunistic infections, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (a serious viral infection of the brain leading to destruction of cells producing myelin). If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor before taking Vumarity.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Vumerity — Biogen

Dimethyl Fumarate — MedlinePlus