New MS Drug Approved

Tecfidera Approved for the Long-Term Treatment of MS

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has approved Tecfidera™ (dimethyl fumarate or DMF, formerly known as BG-12) for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). This is the 10th drug to be approved as a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for the long-term treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Tecfidera is administered orally (by mouth) and is the third oral DMT approved for MS.

As with all of the approved DMTs for MS, Tecfidera is not a cure, but does slow MS disease activity. It reduces the number and severity of MS relapses (or symptom flare-ups) while reducing disease activity as seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans — by reducing the number and size of brain lesions (areas of inflammation). Additionally, Tecfidera slowed the progression of sustained disability (in one of two large Phase III trials).

Please see MSAA’s online news article for more information!

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About MSAA

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is a national nonprofit organization and leading resource for the entire MS community, improving lives today through vital services and support. MSAA provides free programs and services, such as: a Helpline with trained specialists; award-winning publications, including, The Motivator; MSAA’s nationally recognized website, featuring educational videos, webinars, and research updates; a mobile phone app, My MS Manager™; safety and mobility equipment products; cooling accessories for heat-sensitive individuals; MRI funding; My MSAA Community, a peer-to-peer online support forum; MS Conversations blog; a clinical trial search tool; podcasts; and more. For additional information, please visit www.mymsaa.org or call (800) 532-7667.

Comments

  • Markjones1027 says:

    http://www.drugs.com/news/ingredient-new-ms-linked-serious-brain-44267.html
    In the April 25, 2013 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM),1 two separate case studies are reported involving patients in Europe diagnosed with psoriasis who developed PML while taking different forms of dimethyl fumarate.  The patient cases are described in Letters to the Editor with a response provided by Biogen Idec, maker of Fumaderm® (fumaric acid esters) tablets and Tecfidera™ (dimethyl fumarate) delayed release capsules.
    PML is a serious brain infection caused by the reactivation of the JC Virus in patients who are immunosuppressed due to drug treatment or disease.  Signs of PML include neurological symptoms which can be mistaken as MS symptoms.  Risk factors for PML include presence of JC virus antibodies in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid and immunosuppression (often by use of certain medications).
    In the April 25, 2013 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM),1 two separate case studies are reported involving patients in Europe diagnosed with psoriasis who developed PML while taking different forms of dimethyl fumarate.  The patient cases are described in Letters to the Editor with a response provided by Biogen Idec, maker of Fumaderm® (fumaric acid esters) tablets and Tecfidera™ (dimethyl fumarate) delayed release capsules.
    PML is a serious brain infection caused by the reactivation of the JC Virus in patients who are immunosuppressed due to drug treatment or disease.  Signs of PML include neurological symptoms which can be mistaken as MS symptoms.  Risk factors for PML include presence of JC virus antibodies in the blood or

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