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TECFIDERA SIDE EFFECTS

  • Generic Name: dimethyl fumarate delayed release capsules
  • Brand Name: Tecfidera
  • Drug Class: Immunomodulators, Immunosuppressants
Last updated on MDtodate: 10/12/2022

SIDE EFFECTS

The following important adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling:

  • Anaphylaxis and Angioedema
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
  • Lymphopenia
  • Liver Injury
  • Flushing

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10% and ≥2% more than placebo) for TECFIDERA were flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea.

Adverse Reactions In Placebo-Controlled Trials

In the two well-controlled studies demonstrating effectiveness, 1529 patients received TECFIDERA with an overall exposure of 2244 person-years.

The adverse reactions presented in the table below are based on safety information from 769 patients treated with TECFIDERA 240 mg twice a day and 771 placebo-treated patients.

Table 1: Adverse Reactions in Study 1 and 2 reported for TECFIDERA 240 mg BID at ≥ 2% higher incidence than placebo

TECFIDERA
N=769
%
Placebo
N=771
%
Flushing 40 6
Abdominal pain 18 10
Diarrhea 14 11
Nausea 12 9
Vomiting 9 5
Pruritus 8 4
Rash 8 3
Albumin urine present 6 4
Erythema 5 1
Dyspepsia 5 3
Aspartate aminotransferase increased 4 2
Lymphopenia 2 <1

 

Gastrointestinal

TECFIDERA caused GI events (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dyspepsia). The incidence of GI events was higher early in the course of treatment (primarily in month 1) and usually decreased over time in patients treated with TECFIDERA compared with placebo. Four percent (4%) of patients treated with TECFIDERA and less than 1% of placebo patients discontinued due to gastrointestinal events. The incidence of serious GI events was 1% in patients treated with TECFIDERA.

Hepatic Transaminases

An increased incidence of elevations of hepatic transaminases in patients treated with TECFIDERA was seen primarily during the first six months of treatment, and most patients with elevations had levels < 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) during controlled trials. Elevations of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase to ≥ 3 times the ULN occurred in a small number of patients treated with both TECFIDERA and placebo and were balanced between groups. There were no elevations in transaminases ≥ 3 times the ULN with concomitant elevations in total bilirubin > 2 times the ULN. Discontinuations due to elevated hepatic transaminases were < 1% and were similar in patients treated with TECFIDERA or placebo.

Eosinophilia

A transient increase in mean eosinophil counts was seen during the first 2 months of therapy.

Adverse Reactions In Placebo-Controlled And Uncontrolled Studies

In placebo-controlled and uncontrolled clinical studies, a total of 2513 patients have received TECFIDERA and been followed for periods up to 4 years with an overall exposure of 4603 person-years. Approximately 1162 patients have received more than 2 years of treatment with TECFIDERA. The adverse reaction profile of TECFIDERA in the uncontrolled clinical studies was consistent with the experience in the placebo-controlled clinical trials.

Post Marketing Experience

The following adverse reaction has been identified during post approval use of TECFIDERA. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Liver function abnormalities (elevations in transaminases ≥ 3 times ULN with concomitant elevations in total bilirubin > 2 times ULN) have been reported following TECFIDERA administration in post marketing experience.

 

SRC: NLM .

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