Home
Individuals and Families
Health and Wellness
Wellness Library
monomethyl fumarate

monomethyl fumarate

Pronunciation: MON oh METH il FUE ma rate

Brand: Bafiertam

What is the most important information I should know about monomethyl fumarate?

You should not use monomethyl fumarate if you also use dimethyl fumarate or diroximel fumarate.

What is monomethyl fumarate?

Monomethyl fumarate is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults (including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease).

Monomethyl fumarate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking monomethyl fumarate?

You should not use monomethyl fumarate if you are allergic to it, or if:

  • you are also using dimethyl fumarate or diroximel fumarate.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • low white blood cell (WBC) counts;
  • an infection; or
  • liver disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Monomethyl fumarate is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take monomethyl fumarate?

Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using monomethyl fumarate.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take monomethyl fumarate with or without food.

When you begin taking monomethyl fumarate you will use a "starter dose" for 7 days, and then you will use a "maintenance dose" as you continue taking the medicine.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, or open it. Do not mix the medicine from a capsule with food.

This medicine can cause flushing (a sensation of warmth or tingling under your skin). Your doctor may recommend you take aspirin 30 minutes before taking monomethyl fumarate to help prevent flushing. Take only the type and amount of aspirin your doctor recommends.

Call your doctor if you have signs of infection, such as fever, chills, flu-like-symptoms, or skin sores. Further doses may be delayed until your infection clears up.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Store an unopened bottle of the capsules in a refrigerator, do not freeze.

After opening, store the bottle at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the capsules in the original bottle. Throw away any unused capsules 3 months after you first opened the bottle.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking monomethyl fumarate?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of monomethyl fumarate?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Monomethyl fumarate may cause a serious brain infection that can lead to disability or death. Call your doctor right away if you have problems with speech, thought, vision, or muscle movement. These symptoms may start gradually and get worse quickly.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe warmth, redness, burning, or itching under your skin;
  • liver problems --loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • signs of infection --fever, chills, sweating, mouth sores, headache, confusion, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, vomiting, severe diarrhea; or
  • symptoms of herpes virus --flu-like symptoms, cold sores around your mouth, tingly or painful blistering rash, burning pain in your thigh or lower back.

Common side effects may include:

  • flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
  • stomach pain, indigestion;
  • nausea, vomiting; or
  • diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect monomethyl fumarate?

Other drugs may affect monomethyl fumarate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about monomethyl fumarate.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

© 2019 Cigna. All rights reserved
Language Assistance

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Group Universal Life (GUL) insurance plans are insured by CGLIC. Life (other than GUL), accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and disability plans are insured or administered by Life Insurance Company of North America, except in NY, where insured plans are offered by Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

 Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details