Monomethyl fumarate


Monomethyl fumarate, sold under the brand name Bafiertam is a medication for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.
It was approved for medical use in the United States in April 2020.
The most common adverse reactions are flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea.

Pharmacology

Monomethyl fumarate alters the NFE2L2 transcription factor.
NFE2L2 is a basic leucine zipper protein that regulates the expression of antioxidant proteins that protect against oxidative damage triggered by injury and inflammation. Several drugs that stimulate the NFE2L2 pathway are being studied for treatment of diseases that are caused by oxidative stress.
Two precursors are also approved:
Monomethyl fumarate is the international nonproprietary name.