Gastro Effects Dog Oral MS Drug Tecfidera: one-quarter of patients switching to dimethyl fumarate from another MS medication in an independent study had stopped the drug within 3 months

Large proportions of patients starting on dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera) for multiple sclerosis appear to need additional medications to manage the drug's gastrointestinal and other adverse effects, and a substantial minority are ultimately unable to tolerate the drug, multiple studies reported here found.

These findings were confirmed in the manufacturer's own studies -- for example, more than half of patients in an open-label study took over-the-counter medications to control stomach upset and diarrhea -- although symptoms eventually abated in those who stayed on the drug beyond 2 months.

But more mundane side effects such as flushing, gastrointestinal complaints, and itching were common.

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