Tecfidera—a new pill for MS

On Wednesday (3/27/13) Biogen announced the FDA approval of its new oral medication for multiple sclerosis (MS), which it will call Tecfidera^TM.  Its chemical name is dimethyl fumarate, and it was formerly called BG-12.  Tecfidera^TM is an oral medication, unlike Biogen’s current offerings of Avonex^TM and Tysabri^TM, which are both injections.  It is, however, not the first oral MS medication.  Novartis has Gilenya^TM and Sanofi produces Aubagio^TM.  One of the things that have set this medication apart is that its most common side effects were only flushing and certain GI events like diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain.  It’s conceivable that this medication will become the new main pill on the market.  Allowing MS suffers an easier and safer way to manage their disease.