There's so much to know about how drugs work, and scientists are learning more every day. It's not known how Tecfidera works in the body to fight relapsing MS, but here is what researchers discovered about the active ingredient in Tecfidera and what it does inside our cells.
Our bodies contain certain toxins that can cause stress on our cells. This particular type of stress is called oxidative stress and, when it builds up, it can lead to cell damage and even destroy healthy cells in different places in our bodies, such as the central nervous system (CNS). One way our bodies respond to oxidative stress is through the Nrf2 pathway. Researchers have learned that the active ingredient of Tecfidera, dimethyl fumarate, activates this pathway in our cells.
It's important to learn as much as possible about how drugs might work in the body. It can get pretty technical, and a lot is still unknown, but you can ask your doctor to help you understand. Exploring options and talking to your doctor is a positive step toward managing your relapsing MS.
