What Causes Unexplained Bruising After Having Tecfidera?
Many thanks,
XXXXXXX
Unlikely to be related to Tecfidera.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your daughter's current symptoms, diagnosis and current medications.
In my opinion, bruising is most probably unrelated to Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate). In this case, please please get a CBC done, mainly to look for any drop in platelet count. If platelet count is normal, the medication may be resumed.
Flushing and GI side effects, however, are well known with Tecfidera, which subside over time.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
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I am not worried about flushing and GI - they should probably go away within 1 mo as per BiogenIdec.
I am however concerned about bruising and wonder whether you know of any instances of low platelet as a consequence of Tecfidera. I am somewhat concerned that the bruising happened within days of starting Tecfidera, so if caused by it, the effect should be pretty severe. Do you have patients who had low platelets after days on full dose of Tecfidera?
Thanks,
XXXXXX
I have not seen bruising.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
I have not seen any cases of bruising or low platelet count with the use of Tecfidera. So, the checking of platelet count is more as a precautionary measure.
The symptom has occurred after the use of Tecfidera, however, most probably we need to look for alternative causes for the same.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)