The active ingredient in Vumerity® is diroximel fumarate. It is an oral treatment for relapsing MS. In the body, Vumerity® is converted to monomethyl fumarate. The mechanism by which Vumerity® works in treating MS is not fully understood but it is thought to be through increasing the activity of antioxidant response genes.

In clinical trials, Vumerity® has been shown to reduce disease activity, progression of disability and the frequency of relapses in people with relapsing remitting MS. Compared to dimethyl fumarate, Vumerity® causes fewer gastrointestinal side effects.

Vumerity® is taken as oral capsules. The recommended starting dose is 231 mg twice daily for the first seven days. After seven days, the dose should be increased to the maintenance dose of 462 mg (administered as two 231 mg capsules) twice daily.

Vumerity® can be taken with or without food.

For people who experience flushing, taking aspirin before Vumerity® may reduce this side effect. Discuss the dosage and duration of this with your neurologist, MS Nurse or GP.

Vumerity® helps most people with MS, but it may have unwanted side effects in some people. All medicines can have side effects. Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.

The most common side effects include diarrhoea, stomach pains or cramps, nausea or vomiting, indigestion and other gastrointestinal problems, flushing, burning sensations, feeling hot, itchy skin and rashes. Less common but more severe side effects include signs of infection, allergic reactions, and symptoms similar to an MS relapse (new or worsening weakness on one side of the body; clumsiness; changes in vision, thinking or memory; confusion; or personality changes). Seek urgent medical advice if these symptoms occur.

Your neurologist will assist you to assess the risks and the expected benefit of treatment with Vumerity® prior to starting therapy and over the course of treatment. Your health professional can provide comprehensive information on the use of Vumerity®, including precautions and side effects.

There is limited information on the use of Vumerity® during pregnancy and is not recommended during pregnancy.  Your doctor will discuss potential risks and benefits of treatment if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or while pregnant while taking Vumerity®. If you are able to become pregnant, you should use reliable contraception. Check with your doctor if you intend to become pregnant.

Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. It is not known whether Vumerity® passes into breastmilk. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking it if you are breastfeeding.

Vumerity® has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the treatment relapsing forms of MS and is available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for people with relapsing remitting MS. Your medical practitioner will need to obtain a special authority to prescribe the medication for you.

For details of the criteria required to receive a prescription of Vumerity® through the PBS, please visit the official PBS website at https://www.pbs.gov.au/medicine/item/13059h. You will need to click on the “Restrictions” link and then the “Criteria” link.

If you are eligible for medications through the PBS, you will need to pay a contribution fee each time your prescription is dispensed. The Australian Government pays for the remaining cost. The amount of the contribution fee depends upon whether or not you have a pension or concession card. The amount of this fee is set each year by the Australian Government.

If you are not eligible for Vumerity® through the PBS, for example if you are a visitor from overseas, your neurologist may write a private prescription. In this instance, you will have to pay the full cost of the medication. You will need to request a quote from your pharmacist for the price of any medication which is not subsidised by the PBS.