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I know firsthand that feeling when you don't know what your body's doing. It hasn't been an easy journey. Every day that I wake up, I make it a special day.”

Annette living with relapsing multiple sclerosis since 1998

Read the transcript > Close X

Annette

My name is Annette. I am a wife, a daughter, a mom and a grandma. I am a trained dancer. Ah, classical ballet, modern dance, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop. I studied flamenco.

I'm going on 24 years now of being diagnosed. . . . My life has changed. Can I run in high heels? Nope. Can I do pirouettes and grand jetés? No. But I've modified my life to still keep living and keep going.

The doctor who diagnosed me . . . he was honest. He said there is no cure. But these are some of the treatments that are currently out.

We went through two injectables, treatment-wise. I'm feisty with all kinds of other things, but needles. [laughs] So, I wasn't going to do that to myself.

The hardest part was that my 15-year-old daughter, ah, she had to become a part of that. Because I couldn't bear to inject myself with such a big needle . . . that was a tough thing, that my baby girl at 15 had to learn how to inject her mother.

I grit my teeth and we got through it.

My neurologist and I were in the process of going through and vetting the different medications that were out there for me.

I did try one of the treatments that are currently out. But it wasn't good for me. It got me so sick in a matter of one week.

We learned about BAFIERTAM. The information on it was something I felt very confident with. I asked him questions like, look. I've been on this one. It gave me these symptoms. I've been on that one, it gave me this. I felt at ease. The way he presented the medication. The way he presented the pros and cons.

Of course, you always have to go through your insurance, preauthorizations and all of that.

Banner Patient Support is basically exactly that―the company supporting their patients to make sure that we're getting what we need. Everybody I spoke to was so helpful . . . and like in a matter of a few days, I wanna say maybe a week, she called me back and she was like, you're good to go.

So, the moment I wake up in the morning, I take my first two pills. And then the next two pills are in the evening before I go to bed.

I come and go as I please, as long as I stick to my schedule of taking my two pills.

For my personal experience, I had no side effects.

MS affects people differently. That's why it's important to speak to your doctor before changing anything in your daily routine.

For my active lifestyle, BAFIERTAM works. It gives me that confidence that I can do the things I like to do.

Indication and Important Safety Information

What is BAFIERTAM® (monomethyl fumarate)?

  • BAFIERTAM is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.
  • It is not known if BAFIERTAM is safe and effective in children.

Who should not take BAFIERTAM?

  • Do not take BAFIERTAM if you: have had an allergic reaction (such as welts, hives, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or tongue, or difficulty breathing) to monomethyl fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, diroximel fumarate, or any of the ingredients in BAFIERTAM.
  • Do not take BAFIERTAM if you are taking dimethyl fumarate or diroximel fumarate.

Before taking and while you take BAFIERTAM, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have liver problems
  • have or have had low white blood cell counts or an infection
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BAFIERTAM will harm your unborn baby
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if BAFIERTAM passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while using BAFIERTAM.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of BAFIERTAM?

BAFIERTAM may cause serious side effects, including:

  • allergic reaction (such as welts, hives, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or tongue, or difficulty breathing). Stop taking BAFIERTAM and get emergency medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms.

PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) a rare brain infection that usually leads to death or severe disability over a period of weeks or months.

  • Tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms of PML:
    • weakness on one side of the body that gets worse
    • clumsiness in your arms or legs
    • vision problems
    • changes in thinking and memory
    • confusion
    • personality changes
  • herpes zoster infections (shingles), including central nervous system infections
  • other serious infections
  • decreases in your white blood cell count. Your doctor should do a blood test to check your white blood cell count before you start treatment with BAFIERTAM and while you are on therapy. You should have blood tests after 6 months of treatment and every 6 to 12 months after that.
  • liver problems. BAFIERTAM may cause serious liver problems that may lead to liver failure, a liver transplant, or death. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before you start taking BAFIERTAM and during treatment if needed
  • Tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms of a liver problem during treatment:
    • severe tiredness
    • loss of appetite
    • pain on the right side of your stomach
    • have dark or brown (tea color) urine
    • yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes

The most common side effects of BAFIERTAM include:

  • flushing, redness, itching, or rash
  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or indigestion
  • Flushing and stomach problems are the most common reactions, especially at the start of treatment, and may decrease over time. Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms and they bother you or do not go away. Ask your doctor if taking aspirin before taking BAFIERTAM may reduce flushing.

These are not all the possible side effects of BAFIERTAM. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. For more information go to dailymed.nlm.nih.gov.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.
This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment.

Finding the right treatment

A former dancer, Annette refused to let MS rob her of the ability to do everything she loved doing. To manage the disease, she tried different medications over the years and grew frustrated when they didn't fit her lifestyle or had side effects she couldn't tolerate. Annette finally found an oral treatment that fit her way of life when her doctor prescribed BAFIERTAM. Watch her video to hear more of her story.

Read the transcript > Close X

Annette

My name is Annette. I am a wife, a daughter, a mom and a grandma. I am a trained dancer. Ah, classical ballet, modern dance, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop. I studied flamenco.

I'm going on 24 years now of being diagnosed. . . . My life has changed. Can I run in high heels? Nope. Can I do pirouettes and grand jetés? No. But I've modified my life to still keep living and keep going.

The doctor who diagnosed me . . . he was honest. He said there is no cure. But these are some of the treatments that are currently out.

We went through two injectables, treatment-wise. I'm feisty with all kinds of other things, but needles. [laughs] So, I wasn't going to do that to myself.

The hardest part was that my 15-year-old daughter, ah, she had to become a part of that. Because I couldn't bear to inject myself with such a big needle . . . that was a tough thing, that my baby girl at 15 had to learn how to inject her mother.

I grit my teeth and we got through it.

My neurologist and I were in the process of going through and vetting the different medications that were out there for me.

I did try one of the treatments that are currently out. But it wasn't good for me. It got me so sick in a matter of one week.

We learned about BAFIERTAM. The information on it was something I felt very confident with. I asked him questions like, look. I've been on this one. It gave me these symptoms. I've been on that one, it gave me this. I felt at ease. The way he presented the medication. The way he presented the pros and cons.

Of course, you always have to go through your insurance, preauthorizations and all of that.

Banner Patient Support is basically exactly that―the company supporting their patients to make sure that we're getting what we need. Everybody I spoke to was so helpful . . . and like in a matter of a few days, I wanna say maybe a week, she called me back and she was like, you're good to go.

So, the moment I wake up in the morning, I take my first two pills. And then the next two pills are in the evening before I go to bed.

I come and go as I please, as long as I stick to my schedule of taking my two pills.

For my personal experience, I had no side effects.

MS affects people differently. That's why it's important to speak to your doctor before changing anything in your daily routine.

For my active lifestyle, BAFIERTAM works. It gives me that confidence that I can do the things I like to do.

Indication and Important Safety Information

What is BAFIERTAM® (monomethyl fumarate)?

  • BAFIERTAM is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.
  • It is not known if BAFIERTAM is safe and effective in children.

Who should not take BAFIERTAM?

  • Do not take BAFIERTAM if you: have had an allergic reaction (such as welts, hives, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or tongue, or difficulty breathing) to monomethyl fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, diroximel fumarate, or any of the ingredients in BAFIERTAM.
  • Do not take BAFIERTAM if you are taking dimethyl fumarate or diroximel fumarate.

Before taking and while you take BAFIERTAM, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have liver problems
  • have or have had low white blood cell counts or an infection
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BAFIERTAM will harm your unborn baby
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if BAFIERTAM passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while using BAFIERTAM.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of BAFIERTAM?

BAFIERTAM may cause serious side effects, including:

  • allergic reaction (such as welts, hives, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or tongue, or difficulty breathing). Stop taking BAFIERTAM and get emergency medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms.

PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) a rare brain infection that usually leads to death or severe disability over a period of weeks or months.

  • Tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms of PML:
    • weakness on one side of the body that gets worse
    • clumsiness in your arms or legs
    • vision problems
    • changes in thinking and memory
    • confusion
    • personality changes
  • herpes zoster infections (shingles), including central nervous system infections
  • other serious infections
  • decreases in your white blood cell count. Your doctor should do a blood test to check your white blood cell count before you start treatment with BAFIERTAM and while you are on therapy. You should have blood tests after 6 months of treatment and every 6 to 12 months after that.
  • liver problems. BAFIERTAM may cause serious liver problems that may lead to liver failure, a liver transplant, or death. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before you start taking BAFIERTAM and during treatment if needed
  • Tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms of a liver problem during treatment:
    • severe tiredness
    • loss of appetite
    • pain on the right side of your stomach
    • have dark or brown (tea color) urine
    • yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes

The most common side effects of BAFIERTAM include:

  • flushing, redness, itching, or rash
  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or indigestion
  • Flushing and stomach problems are the most common reactions, especially at the start of treatment, and may decrease over time. Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms and they bother you or do not go away. Ask your doctor if taking aspirin before taking BAFIERTAM may reduce flushing.

These are not all the possible side effects of BAFIERTAM. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. For more information go to dailymed.nlm.nih.gov.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.
This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment.

Ask your doctor these
questions to learn more
about BAFIERTAM.

GET QUESTIONS

Have more questions
about BAFIERTAM?

SEE FAQs

Encontrar el tratamiento adecuado

Annette, una exbailarina, se negó a dejar que la EM le robara la capacidad de hacer todo lo que le gustaba. Para controlar la enfermedad, probó diferentes medicamentos a lo largo de los años, pero su frustración creció cuando no encajaron con su estilo de vida o tuvieron efectos secundarios que ella no pudo tolerar. Annette finalmente encontró un tratamiento oral que encajaba con su forma de vida cuando su médico le recetó BAFIERTAM.

Leer la transcripción > close

Annette

Mi nombre es Annette . . . y eh vivido 24 anos con esclerosis multiple remitente recidivante.

Mi esposo Pablo, es el que siempre ha estado conmigo. Mis hijos . . . mis nietas. . . . Son una parte grande de mi vida. Pero también tengo a mi mama de 86 años.

Entonces, yo era bailarina desde los 5 años. Estudié ballet clásico, jazz. Por mis abuelos, para honrarlos a ellos, aprendí flamenco.

Apenas cuando escuche las palabras que me diagnosticaron con esclerosis multiple, Eso fue un cantaso fuerte porque yo era bien activa, era bailarina, haciendo ejercisios, viviendo mi vida libre y grande. Y para ellos decirme que yo no podia hacer las cosas que estaba acostumbrada hacer. Eso fue fuerte. Pero me sente y pense, “Cuales son mis alternativas?”

El neurólogo que me diagnosticó, tremendo doctor, muy bueno. . . . Inmediatamente me explico los tratamientos que había, porque no hay una cura. Pero empezamos a hablar de los tratamientos y aunque a mi no me gustan las inyecciones, las agujas, pero fuimos con ese tratamiento, de las agujas.

A mi no me gustan las agujas. Y la pena más grande fue que mi esposo tuvo que aprender a mezclar la medicina y a darme las inyecciones. . . . Mi más triste memoria es mi niña . . . a los 15 años, ella también tuvo que aprender a mezclar esa medicina y a darme la inyección. Porque yo no podía.

Pues sí, después de las agujas, esos tratamientos, empezamos a conseguir el tratamiento de píldoras, en la forma de píldoras.

Use una medicina que me cayó muy mal, me enfermo por una semana. Y no pude cogerla. Y el neurologo me dijo, deja de cogerla y vamos a buscar otro medicamento.

Bueno, del Bafiertam, yo aprendí.

El médico y yo nos miramos y él me dijo, “Que crees? Vamos a tratarlo?” Y yo dije, “Vamos.”

Que trajo esta medicina, leímos toda la información, la empezó a coger.

Y me siento muy bien. A través de los otros medicamentos que tenía, que siempre me daban efectos secundarios, o no me sentía bien, con este medicamento ha sido fácil.

Como sabemos, todos somos diferentes. Por eso es muy importante hablar con tu medico.

Y claro, yo no podía pagar fuera de personal para la medicina, pero la compania hizo todo lo que tenía que hacer. Hizo todos los pasos y me ayudaron.

Afortunadamente fui elegible para mi cobertura para la medicina.

Las píldoras, son a mi, tiempo. Las tomo por la mañana, y después en la noche cuando estoy en la casa. Claro, si viajo, pues tienen que ir conmigo.

Y para mi, es solamente echar pa lante porque yo quiero vivir mi vida. Yo tengo una familia bella y quiero compartir.

Para mí, BAFIERTAM, ha trabajado tremendo.

Y me siento agradecida y bien, bien feliz y libre―más libre ahora tengo mis pildoras, mi medicamento. Es fácil, y pa' delante. Sigo pa' delante.

Indicación e Información de seguridad importante

¿Qué es BAFIERTAM® (monometil fumarato)?

  • BAFIERTAM es un medicamento con receta utilizado para tratar formas recidivantes de la esclerosis múltiple (EM), para incluir el síndrome clínico aislado, la enfermedad remitente recurrente y la enfermedad progresiva secundaria activa en adultos.
  • Se desconoce si BAFIERTAM es seguro y eficaz en niños.

¿Quién no debe tomar BAFIERTAM?

  • No tome BAFIERTAM si: ha tenido una reacción alérgica (como ronchas, urticaria, hinchazón de la cara, labios, boca o lengua, o dificultad para respirar) a monometil fumarato, dimetil fumarato, diroximel fumarato o cualquiera de los ingredientes de BAFIERTAM.
  • No tome BAFIERTAM si está tomando dimetil fumarato o diroximel fumarato.

Antes de tomar y mientras toma BAFIERTAM, informe a su médico sobre todas sus afecciones médicas, incluido si:

  • Tiene problemas hepáticos.
  • Tiene o ha tenido un recuento bajo de glóbulos blancos o una infección.
  • Está embarazada o planea quedar embarazada. Se desconoce si BAFIERTAM dañará al bebé en gestación.
  • Está en periodo de lactancia o planea amamantar. Se desconoce si BAFIERTAM pasa a la leche materna. Hable con su proveedor de atención médica sobre la mejor manera de alimentar a su bebé mientras utiliza BAFIERTAM.

Informe a su médico sobre todos los medicamentos que toma, incluidos los medicamentos con receta y de venta libre, vitaminas y suplementos a base de hierbas.

¿Cuáles son los posibles efectos secundarios de BAFIERTAM?

BAFIERTAM puede causar efectos secundarios graves, incluidos:

  • Reacción alérgica (como ronchas, urticaria, hinchazón de la cara, labios, boca o lengua, o dificultad para respirar). Deje de tomar BAFIERTAM y busque asistencia médica de emergencia inmediatamente si tiene cualquiera de estos síntomas.
  • LMP (leucoencefalopatía multifocal progresiva) una infección cerebral rara que generalmente provoca la Muerte o discapacidad grave durante un periodo de semanas o meses.
  • Informe a su médico inmediatamente si presenta alguno de estos síntomas de LMP:
    • debilidad en un lado del cuerpo que empeora
    • torpeza en brazos o piernas
    • problemas de visión
    • cambios en el pensamiento y la memoria
    • confusión
    • cambios de personalidad
  • Infecciones por herpes zóster (culebrilla), incluidas las infecciones del sistema nervioso central.
  • Otras infecciones graves.
  • Disminuciones del recuento de glóbulos blancos. Su médico debe hacerle un análisis de sangre para comprobar su recuento de glóbulos blancos antes de comenzar el tratamiento con BAFIERTAM y mientras esté en terapia. Debe hacerse análisis de sangre después de 6 meses de tratamiento y cada 6 a 12 meses en lo sucesivo.
  • Problemas hepáticos. BAFIERTAM puede causar problemas hepáticos graves que pueden provocar insuficiencia hepática, un trasplante de hígado o la muerte. Su médico debe hacerle análisis de sangre para comprobar su función hepática antes de empezar a tomar BAFIERTAM y durante el tratamiento si es necesario.
  • Informe a su médico inmediatamente si presenta alguno de estos síntomas de un problema hepático durante el tratamiento:
    • cansancio intenso
    • pérdida del apetito
    • dolor en el lado derecho del estómago
    • tiene orina oscura o marrón
    • (color del té)
    • coloración amarillenta de la piel o de la parte blanca de los ojos

Los efectos secundarios más frecuentes de BAFIERTAM incluyen:

  • Rubefacción, enrojecimiento, comezón o erupción.
  • Náuseas, vómitos, diarrea, dolor de estómago o indigestión.
  • La rubefacción y los problemas de estómago son las reacciones más frecuentes, especialmente al inicio del tratamiento, y pueden disminuir con el tiempo. Llame a su médico si tiene alguno de estos síntomas y le molestan o no desaparecen. Pregunte a su médico si tomar aspirina antes de tomar BAFIERTAM puede reducir la rubefacción.

Estos no son todos los posibles efectos secundarios de BAFIERTAM. Llame a su médico para obtener consejo sobre los efectos secundarios. Puede reportar los efectos secundarios a la FDA al 1-800-FDA-1088. Para obtener más información visite dailymed.nlm.nih.gov.

Consulte la Información de prescripción completa e Información para el paciente adjuntas.

Esta información no sustituye a la consulta con su médico sobre su condición médica o su tratamiento.