User Reviews for Tecfidera oral

This was my first oral MS medication taken to replace Injections medication. It seemed ok at first. After 6 months I began noticing differences in body functions. Severe diarrhea happened once or twice, Very severe. I stopped Tecfidera for a couple of days when it happened. At day two I felt great. Tested how my body was reacting to Tecfidera vs reactions to certain foods. The day I returned taking Tecfidera, the Diarrhea began again. My Neurologist immediately took me off it as I was experiencing dehydration.Read More Read Less

I do get labwork quarterly ordered by my neuro. I get hot flashes and sometimes itchy. It's annoying but totally worth it. For me, I am walking with less pain and spasticity. It took almost 5 months for me to start to feel improvement. Dx RRMS Jan 2015

Only diagnosed May 2015. First 70 year old male turning up at hospital with MS. Paralyzed from chest down, triggered by flu shot. On copaxone first but relapsed now on tecfidera early days but no side effects, using 4 wheel walker. Glad I live in Australia as its free for seniors and subsidized for every one else around $35per month.

PML side affect? My mother almost died from PML. After contracting the virus, she then contracted IRIS. She was on a feeding tube and had a week to live. It's a miracle she is still with us. She's still alive, but this 56 year old woman has spent the last three years relearning how to do basic life skills. She can barely walk or talk. She needs constant one on one care. There needs to be a better option for people with MS.

I was on Tecfidera for almost 2 years. Side effects lasted until I stopped taking it. Severe skin flushing, dry but watery mouth (hard to explain), occasional upset stomach. I just had my yearly MRI, and it revealed 4 new lessons. I am now switching to either Gilenya, it Tysabri. I have not had good luck with Tecfidera.

I have been taking tecfidera for 18 months. I still have severe flushing, pins and needles and gastro problems. I have had enough and will be stopping this medication.

I have been taking Tecfidera since August of 2013. This has been the only medication I have taken since I was diagnosed with RRMS in June 2013. When I take the medication with food, I have no issues with my stomach. However, if I do not take it with food, I get an extremely sore stomach. So I always eat when taking Tecfidera. I do get flushing quite frequently - usually every other day, which lasts about 30 minutes or so. The medication is very easy to take and I have been able to travel and take it with me. I have not had any other relapses since starting this medication and my last MRI (a year ago) showed no new lesions, which was positive feedback. I have since developed uveitis (april 2015), which is an eye disease. The doctors have told me this is caused by the fact that I have MS.Read More Read Less

I was on Copaxone for 2 years (diagnosed with RRMS in April 2012) and then took a break to try to get pregnant. With no luck and 3-4 new brain lesions after 1 year, my neuro wanted me back on MS meds. I asked her if she'd be open to letting me try Tecfidera. I have been taking it for a month, and so far, it has been pleasant. I only gave a 4 for effectiveness because I won't have an MRI until the end of the year so really won't know until then. I was terrified reading about all of the side effects people experienced, I wanted to have success bc I was so tired of injections everyday, so I tried a different approach. All I experienced was VERY MILD flushing on the first and third days on the starter dose. That is IT! Here is my approach: 1 120mg pill per day for 6 days (evening w/dinner) 2 120mg pills per day for 4 days 1 240mg pill per day for 7 days (evening w/dinner) 2 240mg pills per day for remainder of bottle When I started the 2x/day, I would take my morning dose w/ a hard boiled egg and 2 pieces of turkey bacon. My evening dose is always with whatever I'm having for dinner. And lots of water. My neuro was comfortable with me easing myself onto the drug like this, and I don't know if this is why I experienced little to no side effects or if it's just the way my body is, but I would recommend trying this if you are nervous starting out like I was. It beats having to give yourself a daily injection, that is for sure! I'm no dr., but this method worked well for me. Maybe it would for others as well, so I wanted to share. Fingers crossed for a stable MRI in December. Read More Read Less

I got sick on it right from the start. Dr. just did a longer, lower titration period. (I wish I had listened to what my body was telling me instead of the DR.). 8 months later my lymphocyte counts and T cell counts are so low that another Dr tells me my immune system is worse than that of an AIDS patient. I have been off of it now for 11 months and most of my counts are still nowhere near low normal. I have been doing everything I can to build up my immune system through alternative therapies (not prescriptions).I stay home most of the time now for fear of catching something that my body does not have the immune system to fight. This drug has ruined my life, possibly permanently. Read More Read Less

I was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS in 2003. I was started on Avonex and did extremely well with only 1 relapse which occurred in 2005. After years of IM injections, I was diagnosed with calcification in my arm muscles. In 2013, my MS doctor switched me to Tecfidera. I have had no relapses and am doing well. The only side effect I continue to have is occasional skin flushing, usually lasting 30-60 minutes, about 3 hours after taking the morning dose.

I was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS in 2003. I was started on Avonex and did extremely well with only 1 relapse in 2005. After years of IM injections, I was diagnosed with calcification in my arm muscles. In 2013, my MS doctor switched me to Tecfidera. I have had no relapses and am doing well. The only side effect I have is occasional skin flushing, usually lasting 30-60 minutes, about 3 hours after taking the morning dose.

has anyone used gilenya directly before switching to tecfidera?

I was diagnosed w/ MS June 2014 I had blurred vision in 1 eye went to the eye doc said I had optic neurits sent me to ER to be admitted I had to take 5 days of iv steroid treatments in the hospital then neuro started me on tecfidera I haven't had any issues no flare ups & I pray it stays that way! I had my 1st yearly mri last month and blood test ran I have a follow up appt towards the end of July praying for good news!

Changed from relief I feel I have more strength to walk

I was diagnosed with RRMS (relapse remitting multiple sclerosis) March 2013. I had only had one flare up that lasted about 4 weeks. I started Tecfidera July 2013 and I am still on it. I have not had any flare up's since then. I did have sever abdominal pain, diahrea, nausea but I took Hyoscyamine from an ER doctor and Zofran for the nausea in the first 2 months of starting. It all cleared up and now I only get occasional flushing which is like an itchy hot flash that goes away. Sometimes I will take an 81 mg low dose aspirin for the flushing. I am doing well with the medication now. I do have to have regular 3-6 month blood tests to monitor my white blood cell count which did go from 14.1 to 4.5 back up to 6.8 this last March. I am doing well.Read More Read Less

This drug has made me so tired! Chronic cold viruses, Intense fatigue, increased sensitivity to heat, weak to move, flabby/bloated looking in torso, constant loose bowel movements. I plan to return to Avonex ASAP. Have taken for 18 mos. Thought it was fine, but after my 5th cold this year, I quit for 2 weeks. I got all my strength back. Am able to do chin ups, and bar method at the level I had been, torso looks toned, cold cleared up. I am not exhausted anymore. Did a 90 min hike even! And not over-heated feeling. Can't wait to tell my neuro!Read More Read Less

My neurologist prescribes the low dose of 120 mg for three weeks then moves you up to 240 mg. Seems like it helped alot as I have had very minimal side effects.

I am feeling disappointed in the effectiveness of Tecfidera for my newly diagnosed MS. I had a relapse two weeks after starting it, which included complete blindness in one eye. Even if you discount that relapse since it happened so soon after I started the medication, I have had 3 additional relapses.

I have been taking this medication since it was first available. About a 1 1/2 years. In December, 2014, I started with a rash and itching and hasn't stopped. Now that I have seen other comments it looks like it could be this medication. I will need to discuss this with my doctor as soon as possible. Have not been tested for the JC virus. Just saw this medication could cause this too.