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Switch of psoriasis therapy from a fumaric acid ester mixture to dimethyl fumarate monotherapy: Results of a prospective study
Author(s) -
Falkvoll Sandra,
Gerdes Sascha,
Mrowietz Ulrich
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
jddg: journal der deutschen dermatologischen gesellschaft
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1610-0387
pISSN - 1610-0379
DOI - 10.1111/ddg.13749
Subject(s) - tolerability , fumaric acid , dimethyl fumarate , psoriasis , medicine , drug , combination therapy , pharmacology , dermatology , adverse effect , chemistry , organic chemistry , psychiatry , multiple sclerosis
Summary Background Fumaric acid esters (FAEs) are used for systemic therapy of moderate to severe psoriasis. Until recently, only a mixture of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and three salts of ethyl hydrogen fumarate was available. However, a drug containing DMF as the sole ingredient was registered for the same indication in 2017. This prospective study aimed to investigate the switch from the currently used FAE mixture to DMF alone. Patients and methods Forty patients were consecutively recruited, for whom the FAE mixture was switched to DMF alone on the basis of the last DMF‐equivalent dose without interrupting treatment. At the first check‐up after switching, the efficacy and tolerability of the DMF drug was compared with that of the previous treatment. Results The data show that the efficacy remained unchanged in the majority of patients. Tolerability (e.g. gastrointestinal complaints and flushing) of the DMF drug was rated equal or better in most patients than with the previous treatment. Conclusions The results show that it is possible to switch psoriasis patients under stable therapy with the FAE mixture to the DMF drug directly and without interruption.