Does Tecfidera cause weight gain or loss?
Weight gain or weight loss is not a recognized side effect of Tecfidera and is not documented in the prescribing information for Tecfidera which reports side effects that occur in clinical trials at a 2% higher incidence than placebo.
However, anecdotally blog sites report weight gains with Tecfidera of anywhere from 5-6lbs to up to 25 pounds, but there are also people who report weight loss of up to 14 pounds.
Weight gains may be due to the suggestion to take Tecfidera with a high fat or high calorie meal to reduce the severity of flushing, a common side effect of Tecfidera. In addition, MS itself can cause problems with physical activity, and this may cause weight gain.
Weight loss may be due to gastrointestinal side effects that occur with Tecfidera, as these are common. People who experience nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting are more likely to lose weight with Tecfidera.
Both gastrointestinal events and flushing are more likely to occur during the first month of Tecfidera administration and tend to get better with time.
References
- Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) 02/2020 Biogen Inc. https://www.drugclasses.com/pro/tecfidera.html
Read next
Is Tecfidera an immunosuppressant?
Yes, Tecfidera does suppress the immune system. Although experts are not sure exactly how Tecfidera does this, Tecfidera has been associated with reductions in lymphocyte counts, and several serious opportunistic viral infections, such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and herpes zoster, as well as uncommon fungal and bacterial infections. Continue reading
How do Vumerity and Tecfidera compare for multiple sclerosis (MS)?
Vumerity and Tecfidera are administered in the same way and used to treat the same condition, multiple sclerosis (MS). They also have the same active metabolite, which means that they have the same therapeutic effect - work the same way - in people with MS.
However, Vumerity and Tecfidera do have different chemical structures and Vumerity is better tolerated and causes fewer gastrointestinal problems compared with Tecfidera. Continue reading
Can I stop taking Tecfidera? What happens if I do?
There does not appear to be any rebound disease repercussions associated with stopping Tecfidera abruptly, unlike some other MS drugs such as Tysabri or Gilenya. Studies have shown the majority of patients taking Tecfidera discontinue or switch to another treatment within two years. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- What causes flushing with Tecfidera?
- Can you drink alcohol while taking Tecfidera?
- Gilenya vs Tecfidera. How do they compare?
- How long can you take Tecfidera?
- Can Tecfidera cause stomach damage?
- How long does it take Tecfidera to start working?
- Can Tecfidera cause low lymphocytes?
- Can Tecfidera cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)?
- What are the new drugs used for multiple sclerosis (MS)?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Tecfidera (15 questions, 55 members)
- Dimethyl Fumarate (11 questions, 6 members)
- Multiple Sclerosis (97 questions, 551 members)