How Much Does Vumerity Cost Without Insurance?
The cost of Vumerity without insurance varies by pharmacy. But in general, you may pay over $7,000 per month before discounts or savings options.
Vumerity
Used for Multiple Sclerosis
Used for Multiple Sclerosis
Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) is approved for treating relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. It's a type of disease-modifying therapy (DMT) that can help lower the number of MS relapses and slow MS from getting worse. Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) comes as a capsule that's taken by mouth twice a day. The dosage typically starts low and then is raised to the maintenance dose a week later. The most common side effects are stomach upset and flushing.
What is Vumerity (diroximel fumarate)?
What is Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) used for?
- Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS)
How Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) works
Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) is a type of disease-modifying therapy (DMT). More specifically, it's called a fumaric acid derivative.
It's not exactly known how the medication works to treat MS. But researchers think it turns on specific pathways in the body to help protect nerve cells from damage. This can help lower inflammation, slow MS, and reduce relapses.
When does Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Vumerity |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Fumaric acid derivative |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) essentials
Side effects of Vumerity (diroximel fumarate)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Flushing (40%)
- Stomach pain (18%)
- Diarrhea (14%)
- Nausea (12%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Itching
- Rash
- Skin redness
- Higher liver enzyme levels
- Low white blood cell count
Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: hives, rash, red skin, swelling of your lips or tongue, closing of your throat, trouble breathing
- Severe infection: fever, weakness, trouble breathing, diarrhea, vision problems, thinking or memory problems, personality changes
- Serious liver problems: pain on the right side of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice), loss of appetite, dark urine
- Serious stomach or gut issues: severe stomach pain; severe vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea; rectal bleeding; bloody diarrhea
When do Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Stomach pain
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Indigestion
The following Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
- Bowel blockage—stomach cramping, unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas, loss of appetite, vomiting
- Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, confusion or trouble speaking
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Stomach bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds
- Stomach pain that is severe, does not go away, or gets worse
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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GoodRx discount
$10144.97
Pros and cons of Vumerity (diroximel fumarate)
Pros
- Taken by mouth
- Can help lower the number of MS relapses per year
- Might cause less stomach upset than dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera)
- Few drug interactions
Cons
- Must take twice a day
- Often causes flushing
- Should avoid taking with high-fat and high-calorie meals
- Can take a few months to see the full benefit of the medication
Pharmacist tips for Vumerity (diroximel fumarate)
- Take Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) twice a day at about the same times each day. Setting an alarm or using a reminder app, such as myVUMERITY, can help you remember to take your doses on time.
- If you miss a dose of Vumerity (diroximel fumarate), 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 usual time. Don't take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose. This can raise your risk of side effects.
- Swallow the Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) capsules whole. Don't open, crush, or chew them because it can affect how well the medication works. Talk to your prescriber if you have trouble swallowing the capsules.
- You can take Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) with or without food. If you take it with food, avoid high-fat, high-calorie meals or snacks. These foods can make your body absorb less of the medication, which might make it not work as well.
- Flushing is common when you first start Vumerity (diroximel fumarate), but it usually gets better over time. Taking the medication with food might help, as long as it has no more than 700 calories and 30 grams of fat. If your prescriber says it's safe, taking up to 325 mg of regular (uncoated) aspirin about 30 minutes before your dose might also help.
- Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) can cause stomach upset. This can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain. If this happens, drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. And if it bothers you, ask a healthcare professional about over-the-counter options that might help. Call your care team right away these side effects become severe since it can be a sign of a more serious problem.
- Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) might raise your risk of infection. Call your care team right away if you have a fever, chills, cough, or feel unusually tired. Getting treatment early can help prevent serious infections.
- Don't drink alcohol at the same time you take Vumerity (diroximel fumarate). Alcohol can raise your risk of side effects, like nausea and stomach upset. It can also affect how much of the medication your body absorbs. Speak with your prescriber about your drinking habits. Also ask if it's safe to drink alcohol at other times while taking Vumerity (diroximel fumarate).
- Be sure to get your blood tests done when your prescriber tells you. These tests help make sure Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) is still safe for you. Your prescriber will check your blood cell counts every 6 to 12 months. They'll also check your liver from time to time. Ask your prescriber if you have questions about your test results.
- If you become pregnant or if you're thinking of becoming pregnant: Tell your prescriber. There isn't enough information to know if Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) is safe during pregnancy. Your prescriber can help you decide the best treatment for you. If you take Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) during pregnancy, ask about joining the BlossoMS Pregnancy Registry. This program helps researchers learn more about its safety.
- If you're planning to breastfeed: Talk with your prescriber about the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while taking Vumerity (diroximel fumarate). It isn't known if the medication passes into breast milk or how it might affect a breastfed baby. Your prescriber or a lactation expert can help you choose a safe feeding option.
Risks and warnings for Vumerity (diroximel fumarate)
Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Severe allergic reaction
- Risk factors: Allergy to dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera)
It's possible to have a severe allergic reaction to Vumerity (diroximel fumarate). This can include facial swelling, swelling of the tongue or throat, and anaphylaxis. It can happen at any time during treatment. Look out for hives, a rash, swelling of your lips or tongue, or trouble breathing after taking Vumerity (diroximel fumarate). If this happens, get medical help right away.
Don't take Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) if you've had an allergic reaction to dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera). These medications are very similar. So, you could have a similar allergic reaction to Vumerity (diroximel fumarate).
Flushing
Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) commonly causes flushing, but it should get better over time. Symptoms include warmth, redness, itching, or a burning sensation on your skin. In most cases, flushing is mild or moderate. This means that it can be somewhat bothersome. Flushing from the medication is rarely serious.
There are a few ways to help lower flushing. If your prescriber says it's safe, you can take up to 325 mg of regular (uncoated) aspirin about 30 minutes before Vumerity (diroximel fumarate). It can also help to take Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) with food. But be sure to avoid high-fat, high-calorie meals or snacks.
Risk of serious infections
- Risk factors: Low white blood cell counts for more than 6 months | Medical conditions that raise your risk of infections | Taking medications that weaken your immune system
Some people have had serious cases of infections while taking Vumerity (diroximel fumarate). This can include bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. Examples include shingles and herpes. In rare cases, people have developed a serious brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML can cause severe disability or even death.
Tell your care team right away if you have signs of an infection. This can include fever, chills, weakness, tiredness, cough, or muscle aches. Also look out for signs of shingles, like light sensitivity or red, fluid-filled blisters in a band, stripe, or belt-like pattern on one side of your body. They can make sure you get the treatment you need before the infection gets serious.
Also get medical help right away if you have weakness on one side of your body, trouble walking, confusion, or changes in your personality. These can be signs of PML.
If you develop a serious infection, your prescriber might ask you to stop taking Vumerity (diroximel fumarate). This gives your body time to recover from the infection. You might be able to restart the medication once the infection goes away.
Low white blood cell counts
Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) can lower the amount of lymphocytes in your body. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell. Having low lymphocyte counts can put you at risk of serious infections.
Before starting Vumerity (diroximel fumarate), your prescriber will check your blood count. Then, they'll check every 6 to 12 months during treatment. This helps make sure your while blood cell count isn't too low.
If your white blood cell count stays very low for more than 6 months, you might need to stop taking Vumerity (diroximel fumarate). This helps your white blood cell count recover, but it can take a few months. Your prescriber will let you know when it's safe to restart Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) or if you should switch to a different treatment.
Liver damage
Some people taking Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) have had liver damage. In studies, it's happened as early as a few days to several months after starting treatment. Typically, the liver damage goes away once you stop taking the medication.
Because of this risk, your prescriber will check your liver with blood tests before you start Vumerity (diroximel fumarate). They'll also check during treatment to make sure it's still safe. You might need to stop taking the medication if your lab work shows signs of liver injury.
Also get medical help if you have symptoms of liver injury while taking Vumerity (diroximel fumarate). This can look like yellow skin, yellowing of the whites of your eyes, stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea, or tiredness.
Serious stomach or gut problems
It's rare, but some people taking Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) have had serious stomach or intestinal problems. Some were ulcers, perforation (a hole in the digestive tract), and bleeding. It's also included bowel obstruction (a blockage in the stomach or gut). Most cases happened within 6 months of starting the medication.
Call your care team if you have new or worsening severe stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or bloating. And get medical help right away if you have any rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, or bloody vomit. These can be signs of serious digestive problems that should get checked out.
Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) dosage
The average cost for 1 bottle of Maintenance Dose of 231mg of Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) is $10,144.97 with a free GoodRx coupon.
Bottle
Bottle| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Dose of 231mg | 1 bottle | $10,144.97 | $10,144.97 |
Typical dosage for Vumerity (diroximel fumarate)
The typical starting dose is 231 mg by mouth twice a day for 7 days. Then, your prescriber will raise the dose to 462 mg twice a day.
If you have bothersome side effects, your prescriber might temporarily lower your dose. Once your side effects get better, you'll go back to the usual maintenance dose within 1 month.
How much does Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) cost?
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Vumerity (brand)
$10,144.97
Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera) or Vumerity (diroximel fumarate)
- Currently take dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera)
What are alternatives to Vumerity (diroximel fumarate)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Vumerity (diroximel fumarate). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
