Tecfidera’s (dimethyl fumarate) usual dosage for MS and CIS is 120 mg twice per day for 7 days, and then 240 mg twice per day.
Tecfidera treats the following conditions:
- relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)
- active secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS)
- clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), which may be the first sign of MS
The active ingredient in Tecfidera is dimethyl fumarate. It belongs to a drug class called Nrf2 activators, which are a type of disease-modifying therapy.
This article describes the dosages of Tecfidera, as well as its strengths and how to take the drug. To learn more, see this in-depth Tecfidera article.
The following table highlights the basics of Tecfidera’s dosage. All doses are listed in milligrams (mg).
| Tecfidera starting dosage | Tecfidera maintenance (ongoing) dosage |
|---|---|
| 120 mg twice per day for 7 days | 240 mg twice per day |
Always take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown here.
Tecfidera form
Tecfidera is a delayed-release capsule that you swallow. This means the drug is released slowly during the day instead of all at once.
Tecfidera strengths
Tecfidera comes in the following strengths:
- 120 milligrams (mg)
- 240 mg
For relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), active secondary-progressive MS (SPMS), or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), your starting dose of Tecfidera will be 120 mg. You’ll take this dose twice per day for 7 days.
After that, your Tecfidera dose will increase to a maintenance dosage. This will be 240 mg taken twice per day. A maintenance dosage is one that you’ll likely stay on long term.
If you can‘t tolerate 240 mg twice per day, your doctor may lower your Tecfidera dose to 120 mg twice per day, for a short time. This might help you tolerate the medication or reduce side effects. You’ll likely go back to 240 mg twice per day within about a month.
The maximum dose of Tecfidera is 240 mg twice per day, which equals 480 mg per day.
This dosage is commonly recommended, but be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.
Is Tecfidera used long term?
Yes, Tecfidera is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Tecfidera is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll take it long term.
If you miss your Tecfidera dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s close to the time for your next dose, just take the next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
The following are answers to some frequently asked questions about Tecfidera.
How many hours should I wait between doses of Tecfidera?
The manufacturer doesn’t recommend a specific number of hours between Tecfidera doses.
But with twice-per-day medication, it’s a good idea to take your doses as evenly throughout the day as possible. For example, you might take a dose at 8 a.m. and another at 8 p.m. And even when taking Tecfidera twice per day, try to take your doses at the same time every day. This helps to keep a consistent level of the drug in your body.
For more information about when to take Tecfidera, talk with your doctor.
Why do my dosing instructions change after my first week of taking Tecfidera?
In the first week, you’ll take a starting dose of Tecfidera, which is typically a lower dose than what you’ll eventually take.
Doctors often prescribe a lower starting dose for some drugs so that a person’s body can get used to the drug. Then they’ll increase the dose to what is called a maintenance dose, which is taken during the rest of treatment.
What factors can affect my dosage?
The dosage of Tecfidera you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the type of condition you’re taking Tecfidera to treat and how severe it is
- how your body reacts to Tecfidera, such as any side effects you have
Tecfidera comes in capsules that you take by mouth twice per day. Swallow the capsules whole.
You can take Tecfidera with or without food.
You may have flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color) with Tecfidera. Taking it with food might help decrease this side effect. But if you experience flushing that’s severe or lasts a long time, contact your doctor. They may recommend taking aspirin before your Tecfidera dose, to help reduce flushing.
Do not take more Tecfidera than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.
Symptoms of overdose
The manufacturer reports that overdose symptoms are similar to Tecfidera side effects. Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- nausea
- trouble breathing
- skin rash
- throat or tongue swelling
- fever
- joint pain
- confusion
- vision problems
- fatigue (low energy)
- yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
What to do in case you take too much Tecfidera
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Tecfidera. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
Q:
If I start taking birth control pills, will my Tecfidera dosage change?
AnonymousA:
Your dosage of Tecfidera won’t change if you start taking birth control pills.
But while many birth control pills are safe for people with MS to take, some may be dangerous. Certain birth control pills can cause an increased risk of blood clots in people with MS.
Before you start taking birth control pills during Tecfidera treatment, talk with your doctor. They can suggest options that are right for your treatment.
You can learn more in this Tecfidera interactions article.
The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
