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Blood/laboratory tests: Changes in renal laboratory tests have been seen in clinical trials in subjects treated with dimethyl fumarate (see Adverse Reactions). The clinical implications of these changes are unknown. Assessment of renal function (e.g. creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and urinalysis) is recommended prior to treatment initiation, after 3 and 6 months of treatment, every 6 to 12 months thereafter and as clinically indicated.
Drug-induced liver injury, including liver enzyme increase (≥ 3 upper limit of normal (ULN)) and elevation of total bilirubin levels (≥ 2 ULN) can result from treatment with dimethyl fumarate. The time to onset can be directly, several weeks or longer. Resolution of the adverse reactions has been observed after treatment was discontinued. Assessment of serum aminotransferases (e.g. alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) and total bilirubin levels are recommended prior to treatment initiation and during treatment as clinically indicated.
Patients treated with Tecfidera may develop severe prolonged lymphopenia (see Adverse Reactions). Dimethyl fumarate has not been studied in patients with pre-existing low lymphocyte counts and caution should be exercised when treating these patients. Prior to initiating treatment with Tecfidera, a current complete blood count, including lymphocytes, must be performed. If lymphocyte count is found to be below the normal range, thorough assessment of possible causes should be completed prior to initiation of treatment with Tecfidera.
After starting therapy, complete blood counts, including lymphocytes, must be performed every 3 months.
Interruption of Tecfidera should be considered in patients with lymphocyte counts <0.5x109/L persisting for more than 6 months. The benefit/risk balance of the therapy should be reconsidered in discussion with the patient in the context of other therapeutic options available. Clinical factors, evaluation of any laboratory and imaging investigations could be included as part of this re-consideration. If treatment is continued despite a persistent lymphocyte count < 0.5x109/L, enhanced vigilance is recommended (see also subsection on PML). Lymphocyte counts should be followed until recovery. Upon recovery and in the absence of alternative treatment options, decisions about whether or not to restart Tecfidera after treatment discontinuation should be based on clinical judgement.
The benefit/risk in patients with lymphocyte counts ≥0.5 x 109/L and <0.8 x 109/L for more than six months should be assessed.
Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI): Before initiating treatment with Tecfidera, a baseline MRI should be available (usually within 3 months) as a reference. The need for further MRI scanning should be considered in accordance with national and local recommendations. MRI imaging may be considered as part of increased vigilance in patients considered at increased risk of PML. In case of clinical suspicion of PML, MRI should be performed immediately for diagnostic purposes.
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): PML cases have occurred with dimethyl fumarate and other medicinal products containing fumarates in the setting of moderate to severe prolonged lymphopenia. PML is an opportunistic infection caused by John-Cunningham virus (JCV), which may be fatal or result in severe disability. PML can only occur in the presence of a JCV infection. If JCV testing is undertaken, it should be considered that the influence of lymphopenia on the accuracy of anti-JCV antibody test has not been studied in dimethyl fumarate treated patients. It should also be noted that a negative anti JCV antibody test (in the presence of normal lymphocyte counts) does not preclude the possibility of subsequent JCV infection.
At the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML, Tecfidera should be withheld and appropriate diagnostic evaluations need to be performed. The symptoms of PML may be similar to an MS relapse. Typical symptoms associated with PML are diverse, progress over days to weeks, and include progressive weakness on one side of the body or clumsiness of limbs, disturbance of vision, and changes in thinking, memory, and orientation leading to confusion and personality changes.
Prior treatment with immunosuppressive or immunomodulating therapies: No studies have been performed evaluating the efficacy and safety of Tecfidera when switching patients from other disease modifying therapies to Tecfidera. The contribution of prior immunosuppressive therapy to the development of PML in dimethyl fumarate treated patients is unknown. When switching patients from another disease modifying therapy to Tecfidera, the half-life and mode of action of the other therapy should be considered in order to avoid an additive immune effect while at the same time, reducing the risk of reactivation of MS.
A complete blood count is recommended prior to initiating Tecfidera and regularly during treatment (see Blood/laboratory tests in the previous text).
Tecfidera can generally be started immediately after discontinuation of interferon or glatiramer acetate.
Severe renal and hepatic impairment: Tecfidera has not been studied in patients with severe renal or severe hepatic impairment and caution should, therefore, be used in these patients (see Dosage & Administration).
Severe active gastrointestinal disease: Tecfidera has not been studied in patients with severe active gastrointestinal disease and caution should, therefore, be used in these patients.
Flushing: In clinical trials, 34% of Tecfidera treated patients experienced flushing. In the majority of patients who experienced flushing, it was mild or moderate in severity. Data from healthy volunteer studies suggest that dimethyl fumarate-associated flushing is likely to be prostaglandin mediated. A short course of treatment with 75 mg non-enteric coated acetylsalicylic acid may be beneficial in patients affected by intolerable flushing (see Interactions). In two healthy volunteer studies, the occurrence and severity of flushing over the dosing period was reduced.
In clinical trials, 3 patients out of a total of 2,560 patients treated with dimethyl fumarate experienced serious flushing symptoms that were probable hypersensitivity or anaphylactoid reactions. These events were not life-threatening, but led to hospitalisation. Prescribers and patients should be alert to this possibility in the event of severe flushing reactions (see Dosage & Administration, Interactions and Adverse Reactions).
Anaphylactic reactions: Cases of anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid reaction have been reported following Tecfidera administration in the post-marketing setting. Symptoms may include dyspnoea, hypoxia, hypotension, angioedema, rash or urticaria. The mechanism of dimethyl fumarate induced anaphylaxis is unknown. Reactions generally occur after the first dose, but may also occur at any time during treatment, and may be serious and life threatening. Patients should be instructed to discontinue Tecfidera and seek immediate medical care if they experience signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis. Treatment should not be restarted (see Adverse Reactions).
Infections: In phase III placebo-controlled studies, the incidence of infections (60% vs 58%) and serious infections (2% vs 2%) was similar in patients treated with Tecfidera or placebo, respectively. However, due to Tecfidera immunomodulatory properties (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions), if a patient develops a serious infection, suspending treatment with Tecfidera should be considered and the benefits and risks should be reassessed prior to re-initiation of therapy. Patients receiving Tecfidera should be instructed to report symptoms of infections to a physician. Patients with serious infections should not start treatment with Tecfidera until the infection(s) is resolved.
There was no increased incidence of serious infections observed in patients with lymphocyte counts <0.8x109/L or <0.5x109/L (see Adverse Reactions). If therapy is continued in the presence of moderate to severe prolonged lymphopenia, the risk of an opportunistic infection, including PML, cannot be ruled out (see subsection PML in the previous text).
Herpes zoster infections: Cases of herpes zoster have occurred with Tecfidera. The majority of cases were non-serious, however, serious cases, including disseminated herpes zoster, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, herpes zoster oticus, herpes zoster infection neurological, herpes zoster meningoencephalitis and herpes zoster meningomyelitis have been reported. These events may occur at any time during treatment. Monitor patients taking Tecfidera for signs and symptoms of herpes zoster especially when concurrent lymphocytopenia is reported. If herpes zoster occurs, appropriate treatment for herpes zoster should be administered. Consider withholding Tecfidera treatment in patients with serious infections until the infection has resolved (see Adverse Reactions).
Treatment initiation: Tecfidera treatment should be started gradually to reduce the occurrence of flushing and gastrointestinal adverse reactions (see Dosage & Administration).
Fanconi syndrome: Cases of Fanconi syndrome have been reported for a medicinal product containing dimethyl fumarate in combination with other fumaric acid esters. Early diagnosis of Fanconi syndrome and discontinuation of dimethyl fumarate treatment are important to prevent the onset of renal impairment and osteomalacia, as the syndrome is usually reversible. The most important signs are: proteinuria, glucosuria (with normal blood sugar levels), hyperaminoaciduria and phosphaturia (possibly concurrent with hypophosphatemia). Progression might involve symptoms such as polyuria, polydipsia and proximal muscle weakness. In rare cases hypophosphataemic osteomalacia with non-localised bone pain, elevated alkaline phosphatase in serum and stress fractures may occur. Importantly, Fanconi syndrome can occur without elevated creatinine levels or low glomerular filtration rate. In case of unclear symptoms Fanconi syndrome should be considered and appropriate examinations should be performed.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: Tecfidera has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. No studies on the ability to drive and use machines have been conducted but no effects potentially influencing this ability were found to be related to dimethyl fumarate in clinical studies.
