How do Vumerity and Tecfidera compare for multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Q: 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.

Medically reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD. Last updated on March 26, 2025.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) and Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) are oral medications used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, and active secondary progressive MS. While these drugs share similarities, they also have key differences that may influence treatment decisions.

Key Similarities Between Vumerity and Tecfidera:

Indications: Both Vumerity and Tecfidera are FDA-approved for treating relapsing forms of MS in adults.
Dosage form: Both medications come in delayed-release capsule form.
Active metabolite: Each drug is metabolized into monomethyl fumarate (MMF), which provides the therapeutic effect in MS treatment.

Because Vumerity and Tecfidera have the same active metabolite, Biogen was able to gain FDA approval for Vumerity in 2019, using clinical trial data for Tecfidera, which was approved in 2013.

Key Differences Between Vumerity and Tecfidera:

Chemical composition: Vumerity contains diroximel fumarate, which has the chemical name 2-Butenedioic acid (2E)-, 1-[2-(2,5-dioxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl] 4-methyl ester and the molecular formula is C₁₁H₁₃NO₆. Tecfidera contains dimethyl fumarate, which has the chemical name 2-Butenedioic acid (2E))-, 1,4,-dimethyl ester and the molecular formula C₆H₈O₄.
Side effects: Treatment with Vumerity causes less severe gastrointestinal (GI) events and results in fewer days of self-reported GI symptoms compared with treatment with Tecfidera. It also causes fewer GI adverse events and fewer people stop taking it because of GI adverse events.

Bottom line

Vumerity and Tecfidera work the same way to treat MS since they share the same active metabolite. However, Vumerity has a different chemical structure that makes it better tolerated, with fewer GI-related side effects compared to Tecfidera. Patients experiencing GI issues with Tecfidera may benefit from switching to Vumerity.

References

Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Vumerity. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/211855s002lbl.pdf. [Accessed December 14, 2020].
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Tecfidera. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/204063s023lbl.pdf. [Accessed December 14, 2020].
Biogen. Biogen and Alkermes Announce FDA Approval of Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) for multiple sclerosis. October 30, 2019. Available from: https://investors.biogen.com/news-releases/news-release-details/biogen-and-alkermes-announce-fda-approval-vumeritytm-diroximel. [Accessed December 14, 2020].
National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 637568, Dimethyl fumarate. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Dimethyl-fumarate. [Accessed December 14, 2020].
Naismith RT, Wundes A, Ziemssen T, et al. Diroximel Fumarate Demonstrates an Improved Gastrointestinal Tolerability Profile Compared with Dimethyl Fumarate in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Results from the Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III EVOLVE-MS-2 Study. CNS Drugs. 2020;34(2):185-196. doi:10.1007/s40263-020-00700-0.

Can you drink alcohol while taking Tecfidera?

Although there is no direct interaction between alcohol and Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate), you should not drink excessive quantities of alcohol while you are taking Tecfidera, because it may increase the risk of side effects such as inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), especially in those with a history of stomach problems. You should avoid drinking alcohol, especially strong spirits, for at least an hour after taking Tecfidera; however, one glass of alcohol, now and then at a different time of day to your Tecfidera dose is considered OK. Continue reading

Gilenya vs Tecfidera. How do they compare?

Gilenya and Tecfidera are both disease-modifying oral medications approved for the treatment of MS. Both are equally effective although Tecfidera is more likely than Gilenya to be discontinued within 24 months. Gilenya is approved to treat adults and children aged 10 and older and Tecfidera is only approved for adults over the age of 18. Common side effects of Gilenya include heart rhythm disturbances, diarrhea, infections, and elevations in liver enzymes and common side effects of Tecfidera include flushing, gastrointestinal disturbances, and infections. Tecfidera is slightly more expensive than Gilenya. Continue reading

How long can you take Tecfidera?

Tecfidera can be taken for as long as it continues to have a clinical benefit and you are not experiencing intolerable or severe side effects. Continue reading

Drug information

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