Diroximel Fumarate

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Vumerity

Brand Names: Vumerity
Dosage Form: POWDER
Product Type: BULK INGREDIENT

Description

11 DESCRIPTION VUMERITY contains diroximel fumarate. The chemical name of diroximel fumarate is 2-Butenedioic acid (2E)-, 1-[2-(2,5-dioxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl] 4-methyl ester, which has a molecular formula of C 11 H 13 NO 6 and molecular weight of 255.22. Diroximel fumarate has the following structure: Diroximel fumarate is a white to off-white powder that is slightly soluble in water. VUMERITY is provided as delayed-release capsules for oral administration. Each capsule contains 231 mg of diroximel fumarate and the following inactive ingredients: crospovidone, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate (non-bovine), methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate copolymer, microcrystalline cellulose, talc, and triethyl citrate. The capsule shell contains carrageenan, hypromellose, potassium chloride, and titanium dioxide. It is printed with black ink that contains iron oxide, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and shellac. Structural Formula

What Is Diroximel Fumarate Used For?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE VUMERITY is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. VUMERITY is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. ( 1 )

Dosage and Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Blood tests are required prior to initiation of VUMERITY ( 2.1 ) Starting dose: 231 mg twice a day, orally, for 7 days ( 2.2 ) Maintenance dose after 7 days: 462 mg (administered as two 231 mg capsules) twice a day, orally ( 2.2 ) Swallow VUMERITY capsules whole and intact. Do not crush, chew, or sprinkle capsule contents on food ( 2.3 ) Avoid administration of VUMERITY with a high-fat, high-calorie meal/snack ( 2.3 ) Avoid co-administration of VUMERITY with alcohol ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Blood Tests Prior to Initiation of VUMERITY Obtain the following prior to treatment with VUMERITY: A complete blood cell count (CBC), including lymphocyte count [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] . Serum aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin levels [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . 2.2 Dosing Information The starting dosage for VUMERITY is 231 mg twice a day orally. After 7 days, the dosage should be increased to the maintenance dosage of 462 mg (administered as two 231 mg capsules) twice a day orally. Temporary dosage reductions to 231 mg twice a day may be considered for individuals who do not tolerate the maintenance dosage. Within 4 weeks, the recommended dosage of 462 mg twice a day should be resumed. Discontinuation of VUMERITY should be considered for patients unable to tolerate return to the maintenance dosage. Administration of non-enteric coated aspirin (up to a dose of 325 mg) 30 minutes prior to VUMERITY dosing may reduce the incidence or severity of flushing [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. 2.3 Administration Instructions Swallow VUMERITY capsules whole and intact. Do not crush or chew, or sprinkle the capsule contents on food. If taken with food, avoid a high-fat, high-calorie meal/snack; the meal/snack should contain no more than 700 calories and no more than 30 g fat [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Avoid co-administration of VUMERITY with alcohol [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 2.4 Blood Tests to Assess Safety After Initiation of VUMERITY Obtain a complete blood cell count (CBC), including lymphocyte count, 6 months after initiation of VUMERITY and then every 6 to 12 months thereafter, as clinically indicated [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )]. Obtain serum aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin levels during treatment with VUMERITY, as clinically indicated [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )]. 2.5 Patients With Renal Impairment No dosing adjustment is recommended in patients with mild renal impairment. VUMERITY is not recommended in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following important adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling: Anaphylaxis and Angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy [see Warnings and Precautions Section ( 5.2 )] Herpes Zoster and Other Serious Opportunistic Infections [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Lymphopenia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Liver Injury [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Flushing [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Serious Gastrointestinal Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence for dimethyl fumarate [which has the same active metabolite as VUMERITY] ≥10% and ≥2% more than placebo) were flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Biogen at 1-800-456-2255 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The data described in the following sections were obtained using dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules, which has the same active metabolite as VUMERITY. In placebo controlled and uncontrolled clinical studies of dimethyl fumarate (which has the same active metabolite as VUMERITY), a total of 2513 patients have been followed for periods up to 13 years with an overall exposure equivalent to 11,318 person-years. A total of 1169 patients have received at least 5 years of treatment with dimethyl fumarate, and 426 patients have received at least 10 years of treatment with dimethyl fumarate. Adverse Reactions in Placebo-Controlled Trials with Dimethyl Fumarate In the two well-controlled studies demonstrating effectiveness, 1529 patients received dimethyl fumarate with an overall exposure of 2244 person-years [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. The adverse reactions presented in Table 1 below are based on safety information from 769 patients treated with dimethyl fumarate 240 mg twice a day and 771 placebo-treated patients. The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10% and ≥2% more than placebo) for dimethyl fumarate were flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. Table 1: Adverse Reactions in Study 1 and 2 Reported for Dimethyl Fumarate at ≥2% Higher Incidence than Placebo Adverse Reactions Dimethyl Fumarate 240 mg Twice Daily (N=769) % Placebo (N=771) % Flushing 40 6 Abdominal pain 18 10 Diarrhea 14 11 Nausea 12 9 Vomiting 9 5 Pruritus 8 4 Rash 8 3 Albumin urine present 6 4 Erythema 5 1 Dyspepsia 5 3 Aspartate aminotransferase increased 4 2 Lymphopenia 2 <1 Gastrointestinal Dimethyl fumarate caused GI events (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dyspepsia). The incidence of GI events was higher early in the course of treatment (primarily in month 1) and usually decreased over time in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate compared with placebo. Four percent (4%) of patients treated with dimethyl fumarate and less than 1% of placebo patients discontinued due to gastrointestinal events. The incidence of serious GI events was 1% in clinical trial patients treated with dimethyl fumarate; these events, none of which were fatal, included vomiting (0.3%) and abdominal pain (0.3%). Hepatic Transaminases An increased incidence of elevations of hepatic transaminases in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate was seen primarily during the first six months of treatment, and most patients with elevations had levels <3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) during controlled trials. Elevations of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase to ≥3 times the ULN occurred in a small number of patients treated with both dimethyl fumarate and placebo and were balanced between groups. There were no elevations in transaminases ≥3...

Drug Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Concomitant Dimethyl Fumarate VUMERITY is contraindicated in patients currently taking dimethyl fumarate, which is also metabolized to monomethyl fumarate. VUMERITY may be initiated the day following discontinuation of dimethyl fumarate [see Contraindications ( 4 )] .

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS VUMERITY is contraindicated in patients With known hypersensitivity to diroximel fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, or to any of the excipients of VUMERITY. Reactions may include anaphylaxis and angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Taking dimethyl fumarate [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )] . Known hypersensitivity to diroximel fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, or to any of the excipients of VUMERITY ( 4 ) Co-administration with dimethyl fumarate ( 4 )

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to VUMERITY during pregnancy. Encourage patients to enroll by calling 1-833-569-2635 or visiting www.vumeritypregnancyregistry.com. Risk Summary There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of VUMERITY in pregnant women. Available data from a pregnancy registry for dimethyl fumarate (which has the same active metabolite as VUMERITY), observational studies, and pharmacovigilance pertaining to dimethyl fumarate use in pregnant women have not indicated an increased risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Most of the reported exposures to dimethyl fumarate occurred during the first trimester of pregnancy (see Data ). In animal studies, administration of diroximel fumarate during pregnancy or throughout pregnancy and lactation resulted in adverse effects on embryofetal and offspring development (increased incidences of skeletal abnormalities, increased mortality, decreased body weights, neurobehavioral impairment) at clinically relevant drug exposures [ see Data ]. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Human Data In a prospective observational pregnancy registry for dimethyl fumarate (2013-2022), the rate of major birth defects among 362 live births and stillbirths from women who were exposed to dimethyl fumarate during pregnancy was 3.6% (95% CI: 1.9-6.1). No specific pattern of major birth defects was identified. Important potential study limitations include exposure misclassification, no adjustment for confounders, and lack of an internal...

How Supplied

16 HOW SUPPLIED/ STORAGE AND HANDLING 16.1 How Supplied VUMERITY is available as delayed-release capsules for oral administration, containing 231 mg of diroximel fumarate. The 231 mg capsules have a white cap and a white body, printed with “DRF 231 mg” in black ink on the body. VUMERITY is available as follows: Bottle of 120 capsules, NDC 64406-020-03. 16.2 Storage and Handling Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).

About This Information

This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.

What are side effects?

Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.

What are drug interactions?

Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.