Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I taking TRAZENT?
TRAZENT contains the active ingredient dimethyl fumarate. TRAZENT is used to treat
relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS).
2. What should I know before I take TRAZENT?
Do not take if you have ever had an allergic reaction to TRAZENT or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with TRAZENT and affect how it works.
4. How do I take TRAZENT?
Your doctor will tell you how many capsules to take and how often you should take
them.
It is important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well.
5. What should I know while taking TRAZENT?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using TRAZENT
If you are about to have any blood or urine tests, tell your doctor that you are taking
TRAZENT.
Tell your partner or caregiver about your treatment.
Tell your doctor if you are going to be vaccinated.
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Things you should not do
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Do not take TRAZENT to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.
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Looking after your medicine
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Keep your capsules in the pack until it is time to take them.
Keep your capsules in a cool dry place away from light where the temperature stays
below 25°C.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you
are taking TRAZENT. Tell your doctor immediately or go to the Emergency Department
at your nearest hospital if you notice any signs of infection (e.g., unexplained fever,
severe diarrhoea), swelling of your face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body,
shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest pain or discomfort, symptoms
similar to an MS relapse, new or worsening weakness on one side of the body; clumsiness;
changes in vision, thinking, or memory; or confusion or personality changes.
Active ingredient(s):
dimethyl fumarate
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using TRAZENT. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist or the MS Society in your State,
or by telephoning the MS Alliance on 1800 852 289 in Australia or 0800 852 289 if
you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about
using TRAZENT.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I taking TRAZENT?
TRAZENT contains the active ingredient dimethyl fumarate. TRAZENT is used to treat
relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS).
TRAZENT slows down the progression of physical disability in people with relapsing
forms of MS and decreases the number of flare ups (relapses).
Some people feel better when they start to take TRAZENT. However, TRAZENT cannot repair
damage that has already been caused by MS. When you start TRAZENT you might not notice
an improvement, but TRAZENT may still be working to help prevent your MS from becoming
worse.
The cause of MS is not yet known, MS affects the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the
body's immune system reacts against its own myelin (the 'insulation' surrounding nerve
fibres). In relapsing forms of MS, people have 'exacerbations' from time to time (e.g.
blurred vision, weakness in the legs or arms, or loss of control of bowel or bladder
function). They are followed by periods of recovery.
Recovery may be complete or incomplete. If it is incomplete there is 'progression
of disability'.
Dimethyl fumarate decreases the inflammation in your brain that is caused by MS and
thereby reduces nerve damage.
TRAZENT works by reducing inflammatory responses in cells and helps to protect the
central nervous system cells against attack.
Inflammation of the brain is an important part of the MS disease process.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
TRAZENT has not been studied in patients with chronic progressive MS.
Safety and effectiveness in children younger than 18 years have not been established.
This medicine is not addictive.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
2. What should I know before I take TRAZENT
Warnings
Do not take TRAZENT if:
you are allergic to dimethyl fumarate, or any of the ingredients listed at the end
of this leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can take this medicine.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing
or difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the
body, rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Check with your doctor if you:
have any other medical conditions such as:
liver problems
kidney problems
infection
recently received a vaccination.
Do not take TRAZENT if you are being treated with other medicines containing fumaric
acid (creams or tablets/capsules).
Tell your doctor at your earliest opportunity if you suspect you have any symptoms
of shingles. If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk
to your doctor.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
There is no information on the use of TRAZENT during pregnancy.
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking it if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether TRAZENT passes into breast milk. Your doctor will discuss
the risks and benefits of taking it if you are breast- feeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking medicines containing fumaric acid
(creams or tablets/ capsules),
Some medicines may interfere with TRAZENT and affect how it works.
medicines which affect immune function including other medicines to treat MS such
as fingolimod, natalizumab or mitoxantrone or some other commonly used cancer medicines
medicines which affect the kidneys, including some antibiotics (used to treat infections),
"water tablets" (diuretics), certain types of painkillers (such as ibuprofen and other
similar anti- inflammatory medicines and medicines purchased without a doctor's prescription)
and medicines that contain lithium
live vaccines.
These medicines may be affected by TRAZENT or may affect how well it works. You may
need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or
avoid while taking this medicine.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect TRAZENT.
4. How do I take TRAZENT?
How much to take
The recommended starting dose of TRAZENT is 120 mg taken twice daily. After 7 days
the recommended dose is 240 mg twice daily.
Follow the instructions provided and use TRAZENT until your doctor tells you to stop.
This medicine helps to control your condition but does not cure it. The positive effects
of TRAZENT may not be seen immediately. It is important to keep taking your medicine
even if you feel well.
It is important not to interrupt treatment with TRAZENT unless your doctor tells you
to.
When to take TRAZENT
Taking it at the same time each day (e.g., at morning during breakfast and at night
during dinner) will help you remember when to take it.
TRAZENT can be taken with or without food. For those patients who experience gastrointestinal
side effects or flushing, taking TRAZENT with food may help reduce these effects.
Your doctor may tell you to take TRAZENT with aspirin or may temporarily reduce your
dose.
Do not reduce your dose unless your doctor tells you to.
How to take TRAZENT
Swallow each capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, divide or dissolve
the capsule or its contents.
If you forget to take TRAZENT
TRAZENT should be used regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose
at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your
medicine as you would normally.
Otherwise, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take
your next dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you take too much TRAZENT
If you think that you have used too much TRAZENT, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while taking TRAZENT?
Things you should do
If you are about to have any blood or urine tests, tell your doctor that you are taking
TRAZENT.
Blood and urine test results may be affected by treatment with TRAZENT.
Before you start TRAZENT, your doctor will do a blood test to check the number of
your white blood cells. Your doctor may also test these periodically during treatment.
Before you start TRAZENT, your doctor will make sure you have results from a recent
urine test to check your kidney function and may repeat the test periodically during
treatment. TRAZENT may cause proteins (such as albumin) to be detected in a urine
test.
TRAZENT may also cause increases in the level of liver enzymes that will show up in
a blood test.
Take TRAZENT exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
Tell your doctor if you are going to be vaccinated.
Tell your partner or caregiver about your treatment.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist
that you are taking TRAZENT.
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking
this medicine.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Before you start TRAZENT, your doctor will do a blood test to check the number of
your white blood cells. Your doctor may also test these periodically during treatment.
Before you start TRAZENT, your doctor will make sure you have results from a recent
urine test to check your kidney function and may repeat the test periodically during
treatment. TRAZENT may cause proteins (such as albumin) to be detected in a urine
test.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
think you have an infection, have fever, or feel like you have the flu.
TRAZENT may decrease lymphocyte (white blood cell) counts. White blood cells fight
infection. You may get infections more easily while you are taking TRAZENT. Any infection
that you already have may get worse.
Infections could be serious and sometimes life-threatening. If you have a serious
infection, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking TRAZENT until you recover.
Tell your doctor straight away if you think you are experiencing symptoms similar
to an MS relapse, new or worsening weakness on one side of the body; clumsiness; changes
in vision, thinking, or memory; or confusion or personality changes lasting for more
than several days.
These could be signs of a rare and very serious brain infection called progressive
multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The symptoms of PML may be similar to an MS
relapse.
Having low lymphocyte levels, particularly for a long period of time, can increase
your risk of PML. Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are
using TRAZENT.
Things you should not do
Do not take TRAZENT to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.
Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.
Avoid consumption of alcohol for at least one hour after taking TRAZENT, as alcohol
may lead to increased frequency of gastrointestinal adverse reactions.
Looking after your medicine
Keep your capsules in the pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the capsules out of the pack, they may not keep well.
Keep your capsules in a cool dry place away from light where the temperature stays
below 25°C.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and- a-half metres above the ground is a good place
to store medicines.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What TRAZENT contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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Dimethyl fumarate
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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Silicified microcrystalline cellulose
Purified talc
Croscarmellose sodium
Colloidal anhydrous silica
Magnesium stearate
Methacrylic Acid Copolymer
Triethyl citrate
Methacrylic acid - ethyl acrylate copolymer (1:1)
Gelatin
Titanium Dioxide
FD&C Blue 1
Iron Oxide Black
Iron Oxide Yellow
Capsules also contain trace of TekPrint SW 9008 Black ink (ARTG No:2328).
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
TRAZENT capsules contains sulfites.
What TRAZENT looks like
TRAZENT comes in two strengths of capsules:
120 mg (AUST R 309021): Size “0” hard gelatin capsules with green cap and white body,
printed with “HR1” in black ink on capsule body containing white to off-white, round,
biconvex enteric coated mini tablets plain on both the sides.
Approved in blisters containing 7,
14 or 112 capsules packed in a box.
240 mg (AUST R 309022): Size “0” hard gelatin capsules with green cap and body, printed
with “HR2” in black ink on capsule body containing white to off-white, round, biconvex
enteric coated mini tablets plain on both the sides.
Approved in blisters containing 7,
14 or 56 capsules packed in a box. Not all pack sizes may be sold.
Who distributes TRAZENT
Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in May 2023.
TRAZENT_cmi\May23/00