Monomethyl Fumarate

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Bafiertam

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

Description

11 DESCRIPTION BAFIERTAM contains the active ingredient monomethyl fumarate, which is an unsaturated monomethyl ester. It is also known by its chemical name, fumaric acid monomethyl ester, (C 5 H 6 O 4 ). It has the following structure: Monomethyl fumarate is a white to off-white powder that is highly soluble in water with a molecular mass of 130.10. BAFIERTAM is provided as soft gelatin delayed-release capsules for oral administration, containing 95 mg of monomethyl fumarate consisting of the following inactive ingredients: Glyceryl caprylate/caprate, lactic acid, polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil and povidone K30. The capsule shell, printed with black ink, contains the following inactive ingredients: ammonium hydroxide, butyl alcohol, ferrosoferric oxide, isopropyl alcohol, gelatin, propylene glycol, shellac, solution of sorbitans and sorbitol and titanium dioxide. The coating system includes the following inactive ingredients: colloidal anhydrous silica, GMCC Type 1 mono and di-glycerides, hypromellose type 2910, methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate copolymer, polyethylene glycol (MW=400), polyvinyl alcohol part hydrolyzed, sodium bicarbonate, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, titanium dioxide and triethyl citrate. structural formula

What Is Monomethyl Fumarate Used For?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE BAFIERTAM 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. BAFIERTAM 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 BAFIERTAM. ( 2.1 ) Starting dose: 95 mg twice a day, orally, for 7 days ( 2.2 ) Maintenance dose after 7 days: 190 mg (administered as two 95 mg capsules) twice a day, orally ( 2.2 ) Swallow BAFIERTAM capsules whole and intact. Do not crush, chew, or mix contents with food. ( 2.3 ) Take BAFIERTAM with or without food. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Blood Tests Prior to Initiation of BAFIERTAM Obtain the following prior to treatment with BAFIERTAM: 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 BAFIERTAM is 95 mg twice a day orally for 7 days. After 7 days, the dosage should be increased to the maintenance dosage of 190 mg (administered as two 95 mg capsules) twice a day orally. Temporary dosage reductions to 95 mg twice a day may be considered for individuals who do not tolerate the maintenance dosage. Within 4 weeks, the recommended dosage of 190 mg twice a day should be resumed. Discontinuation of BAFIERTAM 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 BAFIERTAM dosing may reduce the incidence or severity of flushing [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 2.3 Administration Instructions Swallow BAFIERTAM capsules whole and intact. Do not crush, chew, or mix the contents with food. BAFIERTAM can be taken with or without food. 2.4 Blood Tests to Assess Safety After Initiation of BAFIERTAM Obtain a complete blood cell count (CBC), including lymphocyte count, 6 months after initiation of BAFIERTAM and then every 6 to 12 months thereafter, as clinically indicated [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Obtain serum aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin levels during treatment with BAFIERTAM, as clinically indicated [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] .

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Anaphylaxis and Angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 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 ( 5.5 )] Flushing [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Serious Gastrointestinal Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence for dimethyl fumarate [the prodrug of BAFIERTAM] ≥10% and ≥2% more than placebo) were flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Banner Life Sciences at toll-free phone: 1-866-MMF- 95MG 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 the 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 practice. The data described in the following sections were obtained using dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules (the prodrug of BAFIERTAM). 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 Reaction 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). In clinical trials, the incidence of GI events was higher early in the course of treatment (primarily during the first month) 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 patients on placebo 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 in clinical trials 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). 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 in patients on placebo, and were balanced between the groups. There were no elevations in transaminases ≥ 3 times the ULN with concomitant elevations in total bilirubin > 2 times the ULN. Discontinuations due to elevated hepatic transaminases were < 1%, and were similar in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate or placebo. Eosinophilia A transient increase in mean eosinophil counts was seen during the first 2 months of therapy with dimethyl fumarate. Adverse Reactions in Studies with BAFIERTAM (Monomethyl...

Drug Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Concomitant Dimethyl Fumarate or Diroximel Fumarates Both dimethyl fumarate and diroximel fumarate are metabolized to monomethyl fumarate. Therefore, BAFIERTAM is contraindicated in patients currently taking dimethyl fumarate or diroximel fumarate. BAFIERTAM may be initiated the day following discontinuation of either of these drugs.

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS BAFIERTAM is contraindicated in patients: with known hypersensitivity to monomethyl fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, diroximel fumarate, or to any of the excipients of BAFIERTAM. Reactions may include anaphylaxis or angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. taking dimethyl fumarate or diroximel fumarate [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )]. Known hypersensitivity to monomethyl fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, diroximel fumarate, or any of the excipients of BAFIERTAM Co-administration with dimethyl fumarate or diroximel 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 BAFIERTAM during pregnancy. Pregnant women exposed to BAFIERTAM and healthcare providers are encouraged to contact Banner Life Sciences at 1-866-MMF-95MG (1-866-663-9564). Risk Summary There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of BAFIERTAM in pregnant women. Available data from a pregnancy registry for dimethyl fumarate (the prodrug of BAFIERTAM), observational studies, and pharmacovigilance with 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 animals, adverse effects on offspring survival, growth, sexual maturation, and neurobehavioral function were observed when dimethyl fumarate (DMF) was administered during pregnancy and lactation at clinically relevant doses ( 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 comparator cohort. Animal data In rats administered DMF orally (0, 25, 100, and 250 mg/kg/day)...

How Supplied

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 16.1 How Supplied BAFIERTAM is available as soft gelatin delayed-release capsules containing 95 mg of monomethyl fumarate. The 95 mg capsules are white, opaque, oval, and coated with “95” printed in black ink on the body. BAFIERTAM is available as follows: 95 mg capsules: bottle of 120 capsules (NDC 69387-001-01). 16.2 Storage and Handling Unopened Bottle Store unopened bottles in refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (35°F to 46°F). Do not freeze. Under these conditions, BAFIERTAM is stable until the expiration date indicated on the package. Opened Bottle Opened bottles may be stored at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F) permitted [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect the capsules from light. Store in original container. Under these conditions, BAFIERTAM is stable for 3 months. Capsules may become deformed if kept at high temperatures. 16.1 How Supplied BAFIERTAM is available as soft gelatin delayed-release capsules containing 95 mg of monomethyl fumarate. The 95 mg capsules are white, opaque, oval, and coated with “95” printed in black ink on the body. BAFIERTAM is available as follows: 95 mg capsules: bottle of 120 capsules (NDC 69387-001-01).

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.