What you need to know about the drug Monomethyl Fumarate

Do you also have a condition called Multiple Sclerosis ( MS )? If so, your doctor may have prescribed you a medication called Monomethyl Fumarate. It's normal to have some questions when starting a new medication. So today, let's talk about this medication in a simple, easy-to-understand way. Let's take a look at what it's for, how to use it, and what precautions you need to take.

Simply put, what kind of medicine is this?

This is a medication that is used to treat a condition called Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Now you may be wondering what happens in MS and how this medication can help.

Think of it like an army that protects our country, our body also has a system to protect us from diseases . We call it the immune system . But in diseases like MS, what happens is that our own defense system, that is, the immune system, gets a little confused and starts attacking our own body's nervous system. It's like our own army attacking our own country.

So what this Monomethyl Fumarate medicine does is to calm down the immune system, which is overactive and damaging to our own body. This helps control the worsening of symptoms and reduces the number of flare-ups.

Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication

Your doctor will need to know your complete health history before prescribing this medication. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor before starting the medication.

• Any infectious conditions you currently have (e.g. fever, cough, cold )
• If you have any liver disease
• If you have previously been diagnosed with low white blood cell counts
• If you have had an allergic reaction to this medicine, Monomethyl Fumarate, or similar medicines such as Dimethyl Fumarate, Diroximel Fumarate
• If you are allergic to any other medicine, food, dye, or preservative
• If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the near future
• If you are a breastfeeding mother

How exactly do you use this medicine?

To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it correctly. Keep these points in mind.

• This is an oral capsule . Take with a glass of water.
• Try to take it at the same time every day , as your doctor tells you. This will help keep the medicine at the same level in your body.
• This is the most important thing: do not break, crush, or chew the capsule. Swallow it whole.
• You can take it before or after a meal. However, some people may experience a slight stomach upset or nausea after taking this. If that happens to you, it is best to take it with a meal .
• Continue taking it until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop taking the medicine on your own, even if you feel better.

What to do if you take too much medicine?

If you think you have accidentally taken more than the prescribed dose of this medicine, do not delay. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

What if I miss a dose of medication?

Everyone forgets things. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.

Are there other things that are incompatible with this medicine?

Yes, there are. Some medications can interact with Monomethyl Fumarate. In particular, if you are taking Dimethyl fumarate or Diroximel fumarate , do not take this medication.

Additionally, tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements ). It is also important to tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.

Things to be careful about when taking medicine

It's a good idea to pay a little more attention to your health while taking this medicine.

• Regular medical checkups: Be sure to go to your doctor's appointments. Tell him or her if there are any changes in your symptoms.
• Blood tests: While taking this medication, your doctor will likely order several blood tests to check your white blood cell count and liver function. It is important for your safety to have these done on time.
• Risk of infection: As we mentioned earlier, this medicine may slightly reduce the activity of the immune system, so you may be slightly more likely to get infections. So if you develop symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, cough, or a wound that doesn't heal quickly, tell your doctor right away. Don't go for treatment alone. Also, it's a good idea to avoid crowded places and places where people who are sick are.
• Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): This is a very rare but serious condition. This medicine can cause a brain infection (Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy - PML) in some people. If you experience any changes in your vision, thinking, speaking, walking or balance, difficulty, or confusion, tell your doctor immediately. If you are unable to reach him, seek medical advice immediately.

What are the possible side effects?

Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. But these don't happen to everyone. Let's break them down into two categories.

How to store medicine properly?

To maintain the quality of medicines, it is also important to store them correctly.

• Keep out of reach of children and pets .
• Unopened, sealed bottles: Store these in the fridge . But do not store them in the freezer .
• Bottles that have just been used: Store these at normal room temperature (between 20°C - 25°C). Keep them away from direct sunlight and moisture, and keep them in the original bottle they came in.
• Throw away any remaining medicine after 3 months of use. Also, never use medicine that has passed its expiration date.