800.456.2255

VUMERITY
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Understanding most common side effects

It’s important to talk with your healthcare provider about the most common side effects of VUMERITY® (diroximel fumarate). Flushing and stomach problems are the most common reactions, especially at the start of therapy, and may decrease over time. Read more about them below.
Flushing

Symptoms are usually described as redness, itching, or rash.
Stomach problems

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or indigestion.

Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms and they bother you or do not go away.

Get tips to help manage the most common side effects ❯

A separate analysis of stomach problems: VUMERITY compared with dimethyl fumarate

In a small 5-week study, people with relapsing MS were asked to track any stomach problems. 253 people took VUMERITY and 249 people took dimethyl fumarate (which has the same active metabolite as VUMERITY).*

Limitations to keep in mind

It can be hard to compare stomach problems. People had to report their own symptoms, and there's no widely used scale. For this study, people rated the severity of their stomach issues on a scale of 0 (no issue) to 10 (extreme). This analysis was not planned as part of the clinical trials, so the data may not be as reliable. This data is not included in the full Prescribing Information for VUMERITY. Additional studies may be needed to confirm these findings.
Fewer stomach problems

People taking VUMERITY reported 46% fewer days with stomach problems that they rated ≥2 than people taking dimethyl fumarate, and their stomach problems were generally less severe.

(1.4 days compared with 2.6 days for people taking dimethyl fumarate.)
Fewer people stopped taking VUMERITY

People were 83% less likely to stop taking VUMERITY because of stomach problems than dimethyl fumarate.

(0.8% of those taking VUMERITY stopped treatment compared with 4.8% of those taking dimethyl fumarate.)

*In week 1, people taking VUMERITY received the starter dose (231-mg pill) and a placebo pill twice a day. In weeks 2-5, they received the regular dose (two 231-mg pills) twice a day. In week 1, people taking dimethyl fumarate received the starter dose (120-mg pill) and one placebo pill twice a day. In weeks 2-5, they received the regular dose (240-mg pill) and one placebo twice a day.

Portrait of woman smiling in front of a blue background

More to check out

Help managing common side effects ❯
Be ready for your next appointment ❯
NEXT: Ask About Vumerity

Indication and Important Safety Information

What is VUMERITY® (diroximel fumarate)?

  • VUMERITY is a prescription medicine used to treat people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease in adults

  • It is not known if VUMERITY is safe and effective in children

Important Safety Information

Do not take VUMERITY if you:

  • have had an allergic reaction (such as welts, hives, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or tongue, or difficulty breathing) to diroximel fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, or any of the ingredients in VUMERITY

  • are taking dimethyl fumarate

Before taking and while you take VUMERITY, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have liver problems

  • have kidney problems

  • have or have had low white blood cell counts or an infection

  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if VUMERITY will harm your unborn baby

  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VUMERITY passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while using VUMERITY

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What should I avoid while taking VUMERITY?

  • Do not drink alcohol at the time you take a VUMERITY dose

What are the possible side effects of VUMERITY?

VUMERITY may cause serious side effects including:

  • allergic reaction (such as welts, hives, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or tongue, or difficulty breathing). Stop taking VUMERITY and get emergency medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms

  • PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) a rare brain infection that usually leads to death or severe disability over a period of weeks or months. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of these symptoms of PML:

    • weakness on one side of the body that gets worse

    • clumsiness in your arms or legs

    • vision problems

    • changes in thinking and memory

    • confusion

    • personality changes

  • herpes zoster infections (shingles), including central nervous system infections

  • other serious infections

  • decreases in your white blood cell count Your healthcare provider should do a blood test to check your white blood cell count before you start treatment with VUMERITY and while you are on therapy. You should have blood tests after 6 months of treatment and every 6 to 12 months after that

  • liver problems. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check your liver function before you start taking VUMERITY and during treatment if needed. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of these symptoms of a liver problem during treatment

    • severe tiredness

    • loss of appetite

    • pain on the right side of your stomach

    • have dark or brown (tea color) urine

    • yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes

The most common side effects of VUMERITY include:

  • flushing, redness, itching, or rash

  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or indigestion

  • Flushing and stomach problems are the most common reactions, especially at the start of therapy, and may decrease over time. Taking VUMERITY with food (avoid high-fat, high-calorie meal or snack) may help reduce flushing. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms and they bother you or do not go away. Ask your healthcare provider if taking aspirin before taking VUMERITY may reduce flushing

These are not all the possible side effects of VUMERITY. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. For more information go to dailymed.nlm.nih.gov

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.

 

Stay in the know with VUMERITY. TELL ME MORE

WHY VUMERITY Effectiveness Serious Side Effects Common Side Effects Ask about VUMERITY
STARTING VUMERITY Before taking VUMERITY How to take VUMERITY
ALREADY ON VUMERITY Tips for common side effects Tools for your journey
SUPPORT FOR YOU Support services Financial & insurance information Find events Care partners FAQ
ABOUT RMS SIGN UP

This site is intended for residents 18 years or older of the United States, Puerto Rico, and US territories.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.