Dimethyl Fumarate

RECENT MAJOR CHANGES Warnings and Precautions, Serious Gastrointestinal Reactions ( 5.7 ) 12/2023

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules are indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. Dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules are indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. ( 1 )

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Starting dose: 120 mg twice a day, orally, for 7 days ( 2.1 ) • Maintenance dose after 7 days: 240 mg twice a day, orally ( 2.1 ) • Swallow dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules whole and intact. Do not crush, chew, or sprinkle capsule contents on food ( 2.1 ) • Take dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules with or without food ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Dosing Information The starting dose for dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules is 120 mg twice a day orally. After 7 days, the dose should be increased to the maintenance dose of 240 mg twice a day orally. Temporary dose reductions to 120 mg twice a day may be considered for individuals who do not tolerate the maintenance dose. Within 4 weeks, the recommended dose of 240 mg twice a day should be resumed. Discontinuation of dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules should be considered for patients unable to tolerate return to the maintenance dose. The incidence of flushing may be reduced by administration of dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules with food. Alternatively, administration of non-enteric coated aspirin (up to a dose of 325 mg) 30 minutes prior to dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules dosing may reduce the incidence or severity of flushing [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules should be swallowed whole and intact. Dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules should not be crushed or chewed, and the capsule contents should not be sprinkled on food. Dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules can be taken with or without food. 2.2 Blood Tests Prior to Initiation of Therapy Obtain a complete blood cell count (CBC) including lymphocyte count before initiation of therapy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] . Obtain serum aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin levels prior to treatment with dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )].

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Dimethyl fumarate is available as hard gelatin delayed-release capsules containing 120 mg or 240 mg of dimethyl fumarate. Dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules, 120 mg are white cap/white body size ‘0’ hard gelatin capsules imprinted in black ink with “DMT 120” on the body containing white to off-white, round shaped biconvex tablets, plain on both sides. Dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules, 240 mg are green cap/green body size ‘0’ hard gelatin capsules imprinted in black ink with “DMT 240” on the body containing white to off-white, round shaped biconvex tablets, plain on both sides. Delayed-release capsules : 120 mg and 240 mg ( 3 )

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to dimethyl fumarate or to any of the excipients of dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules. Reactions have included anaphylaxis and angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Known hypersensitivity to dimethyl fumarate or any of the excipients of dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules. ( 4 )

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following important adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling: Anaphylaxis and Angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Herpes Zoster and Other Serious Opportunistic Infections [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Lymphopenia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Liver Injury [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Flushing [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Serious Gastrointestinal Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10% and ≥2% placebo) were flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Ascend Laboratories, LLC at 1-877-272-7901 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. In placebo-controlled and uncontrolled clinical studies, a total of 2,513 patients have received dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules and been followed for periods up to 13 years with an overall exposure of 11,318 person-years. Approximately 1,169 patients have received more than 5 years of treatment with dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules, and 426 patients have received at least 10 years of treatment with dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules. Adverse Reactions in Placebo-Controlled Trials In the two well-controlled studies demonstrating effectiveness, 1,529 patients received dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules with an overall exposure of 2,244 person-years [see Clinical Studies ( 14)] . The adverse reactions presented in the table below are based on safety information from 769 patients treated with dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules 240 mg twice a day and 771 placebo-treated patients. The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10% and ≥2% more than placebo) for dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules were flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. Table 1: Adverse Reactions in Study 1 and 2 reported for dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules 240 mg BID at ≥ 2% higher incidence than placebo Dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules N=769 % Placebo N=771 % Flushing 40 6 Abdominal pain 18 10 Diarrhea 14 11 Nausea 12 9 Vomiting 9 5 Pruritus 8 4 Rash 8 3 Albumin urine present 6 4 Erythema 5 1 Dyspepsia 5 3 Aspartate aminotransferase increased 4 2 Lymphopenia 2 Less than 1 Gastrointestinal Dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules caused GI events (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dyspepsia). The incidence of GI events was higher early in the course of treatment (primarily in month 1) and usually decreased over time in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules compared with placebo. Four percent (4%) of patients treated with dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules and less than 1% of placebo patients discontinued due to gastrointestinal events. The incidence of serious GI events was 1% in clinical trial patients treated with dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules; these events, none of which were fatal, included vomiting (0.3%) and abdominal pain (0.3%). Hepatic Transaminases An increased incidence of elevations of hepatic transaminases in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules was seen primarily during the first six months of treatment, and most patients with elevations had levels less than 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) during controlled trials. Elevations of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase to ≥ 3 times the ULN occurred in a small number of patients treated with both dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules and placebo and were balanced between groups. There …

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from the dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules Pregnancy Registry, observational studies, and pharmacovigilance with dimethyl fumarate use in pregnant women have not indicated an increased risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Most of the reported exposures to dimethyl fumarate occurred during the first trimester of pregnancy (see Data) . In animals, adverse effects on offspring survival, growth, sexual maturation, and neurobehavioral function were observed when dimethyl fumarate (DMF) was administered during pregnancy and lactation at clinically relevant doses (see Data) . The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Human Data In a prospective observational dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules Pregnancy Registry (2013 to 2022), the rate of major birth defects among 362 live births and stillbirths from women who were exposed to dimethyl fumarate during pregnancy was 3.6% (95% CI: 1.9 to 6.1). No specific pattern of major birth defects was identified. Important potential study limitations include exposure misclassification, no adjustment for confounders, and lack of an internal comparator cohort. Animal Data In rats administered DMF orally (25, 100, 250 mg/kg/day) throughout organogenesis, embryofetal toxicity (reduced fetal body weight and delayed ossification) were observed at the highest dose tested. This dose also produced evidence of maternal toxicity (reduced body weight). Plasma exposure (AUC) for monomethyl fumarate (MMF), the major circulating metabolite, at the no-effect dose is approximately three times that in humans at the recommended human dose (RHD) of 480 mg/day. In rabbits administered DMF orally (25, 75, and 150 mg/kg/day) throughout organogenesis, embryolethality and decreased maternal body weight were observed at the highest dose tested. The plasma AUC for MMF at the no-effect dose is approximately 5 times that in humans at the RHD. Oral administration of DMF (25, 100, and 250 mg/kg/day) to rats throughout organogenesis and lactation resulted in increased lethality, persistent reductions in body weight, delayed sexual maturation (male and female pups), and reduced testicular weight at the highest dose tested. Neurobehavioral impairment was observed at all doses. A no-effect dose for developmental toxicity was not identified. The lowest dose tested was associated with plasma AUC for MMF lower than that in humans at the RHD. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of DMF or MMF in human milk. The effects on the breastfed infant and on milk production are unknown. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition. 8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. 8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients.

12.1 Mechanism of Action The mechanism by which dimethyl fumarate (DMF) exerts its therapeutic effect in multiple sclerosis is unknown. DMF and the metabolite, monomethyl fumarate (MMF), have been shown to activate the Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway in vitro and in vivo in animals and humans. The Nrf2 pathway is involved in the cellular response to oxidative stress. MMF has been identified as a nicotinic acid receptor agonist in vitro .

11 DESCRIPTION Dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsule contains dimethyl fumarate which is also known by its chemical name, dimethyl (E) butenedioate, (C 6 H 8 O 4 ). It has the following structure: Dimethyl fumarate is a white to off-white powder that is slightly soluble in methanol and highly soluble in water with a molecular mass of 144.13. Dimethyl fumarate is provided as hard gelatin delayed-release capsules for oral administration, containing 120 mg or 240 mg of dimethyl fumarate consisting of the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate copolymer dispersion (which contains polymer substance based on ethyl acrylate and methacrylic acid, polysorbate 80 and sodium lauryl sulfate), methacrylic acid copolymer Type A [which contains poly (methacrylic acid-co-methacrylate) 1:1 and sodium lauryl sulfate], silicified microcrystalline cellulose, talc and triethyl citrate. The empty hard gelatin capsule shell contains gelatin, sodium lauryl sulphate and titanium dioxide. In addition, the 240 mg capsule shell contains FD&C Blue 2 and iron oxide yellow. The capsules are imprinted with black edible ink containing black iron oxide, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, shellac and strong ammonia solution. dimethyl-str

10 OVERDOSAGE Cases of overdose with dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules have been reported. The symptoms described in these cases were consistent with the known adverse event profile of dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules. There are no known therapeutic interventions to enhance elimination of dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules nor is there a known antidote. In the event of overdose, initiate symptomatic supportive treatment as clinically indicated.

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules is available as hard gelatin delayed-release capsules in two strengths containing either 120 mg or 240 mg of dimethyl fumarate. The 120 mg capsules have an opaque green cap printed with "DMF" and opaque white body printed with" 120" in black ink. The 240 mg capsules have an opaque green cap printed with "DMF" and opaque green body printed with "240" in black ink. Dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules is available as follows: 30-day Starter Pack, (67877-557-39): 7-day bottle 120 mg capsules, quantity 14 23-day bottle 240 mg capsules, quantity 46 120 mg capsules: Bottle Pack of 14 capsules (67877-555-14) Store in original container. Bottle Pack of 90 capsules (67877-555-90) Bottle Pack of 1000 capsules (67877-555-10) Blister Pack of 10 capsules (67877-555-33) 240 mg capsules: Bottle Pack of 46 capsules (67877-556-46) Store in original container. Bottle Pack of 60 capsules (67877-556-60) Store in original container. Bottle Pack of 90 capsules (67877-556-90) Bottle Pack of 1000 capsules (67877-556-10) Blister Pack of 10 capsules (67877-556-33) Store at 15°C to 30°C (59 to 86°F). Protect the capsules from light.