Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) is a brand-name drug prescribed for multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. Vumerity comes as a delayed-release oral capsule that’s typically taken twice per day.

Vumerity is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat relapsing* forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. These include:

It’s also approved to treat clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), a brief period of MS-like symptoms. CIS may develop into MS.

Vumerity contains the drug diroximel fumarate. The active form of this drug is a nicotinic acid receptor agonist. Vumerity isn’t available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Vumerity, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Vumerity, see this article.

Note: This article describes the typical dosage for Vumerity provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Vumerity, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

* A relapse is a time in which MS symptoms worsen. MS relapses are often followed by periods with no symptoms (remission).

The information below describes Vumerity’s typical dosage and other details about the drug.

Vumerity form

Vumerity comes as a delayed-release oral capsule. With delayed-release, the drug is slowly released into your body over time.

Vumerity strength

Vumerity comes in one strength of 231 milligrams (mg).

Typical dosage

The following information describes the dosage of Vumerity that’s commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for MS

Doctors may prescribe Vumerity to treat certain forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). If your doctor prescribes Vumerity, your starting dose will likely be 231 mg (one capsule). Typically, you’ll take this twice per day.

After 7 days, your doctor may recommend increasing your dosage to 462 mg (two 231-mg capsules) twice per day. This is the typically recommended dosage of Vumerity for people with MS.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Long-term treatment

Vumerity is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Vumerity is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Before you start taking Vumerity, your doctor will discuss your MS treatment plan with you.

Vumerity comes as a capsule that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, chew, or place the capsule in water. You should try to take your doses at the same time each day, such as morning and evening.

You may take your doses with or without food. However, taking Vumerity with a small snack may help reduce flushing. It’s one of the side effects that can happen with this drug. You can read more about flushing and other Vumerity side effects in this article. Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend other ways to reduce this side effect.

If you take Vumerity with food, be sure it’s low in fat and calories. It should contain less than 700 calories and 30 grams (g) of fat or less.

If you have trouble swallowing capsules, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Vumerity in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Vumerity, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you do not take more Vumerity than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose. To learn about side effects of Vumerity, see this article.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Vumerity

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Vumerity. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Vumerity.

Is the dosage of Vumerity similar to the dosage of Tecfidera?

Yes, the dosage of Vumerity is similar to the dosage of Tecfidera. Both drugs come as a delayed-release* oral capsule that’s taken twice per day.

However, the dose in milligrams (mg) for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Tecfidera’s active drug is dimethyl fumarate and Vumerity’s active drug is diroximel fumarate. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and dosage that’s right for you. To learn about Vumerity’s dosage, see the “Vumerity dosage” section above.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

* With delayed-release, the drug is slowly released into your body over time.

Can Vumerity be used for weight loss? If so, what’s the dosage?

No, Vumerity isn’t used as a weight loss aid. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Because Vumerity isn’t used for weight loss, the drug’s manufacturer doesn’t provide recommended dosages for this use.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about recommended treatment options for weight loss.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Vumerity for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Vumerity without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Vumerity that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Vumerity. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.