The Good news for Multiple Sclerosis patients

Tecfidera is a pill that is manufactured by the Biogen Idec Incorporated Company as treatment for multiple sclerosis. Patients who suffer from multiple sclerosis has something to smile about as the drug has now been approved for use by the Food and Drug administration (FDA), this was approved on 27th March 2013.

The drugs scientific name is Dimethyl fumarate, and works in treating adults who suffer from multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis patients normally undergo a disruption in coordination between the brain and other body parts, this condition is caused by some factors like smoking and lack of vitamin D also diet matters.

The capsules are to be taken twice a day by the patient, there other options for treating the condition which come from the same company, however they are both administered through injections. The approval of the drug will allow it to compete in the market with other drugs which has been manufactured for the same purpose.

The drug is to be administered orally by the patients. A patient needs to inform their doctor before taking the drug if they have had other medical conditions and mostly if they have had a low count of white blood cells.

Patients who are taking the drug should follow the doctor’s prescription, the drug should be protected from light, it should not be crushed or chewed rather it should be taken as a whole. To protect the pills from light they should be stored in their manufacturing container.

The drug may decrease the white blood cells of a patient; they may also feel nauseated and have indigestion.

References

Stephanie Yao,(03/28/2013). FDA NEWS RELEASE.U.S Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents.

Johnston, J. E. (2013). Compounding: The Pharmacy Technician Series (0002. ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education.