Tecfidera and itching

Everyday living
1

Hi,

I started Tecfidera today, on the lower dose. Some side effects right away, flushing and becoming red, upset stomach… But the most annoying is the itching of my face and neck/arms. It’s driving me crazy.

If someone has experienced the same and has some advice for me to handle the itching, that’d be much appreciated.

Thanks.

2

Itching oftens goes with flushing. I have had it but not bad enough to do anything about it. I think some people use ant-histamines. You could search this forum for itching.flusing. I hope someone with more experience will reply to you soon.

3

i thought it was like prickly heat which i get in hot weather.

i take anti-histamines and a soothing lotion.

calomine lotion would help if you don’t mind being a chalky pink.

carole x

1 Like
4

When I started on Tec about 3 months ago I had flushing and at same time itching all up my arms which went off when the flushing stopped. Now th itching has subsided and it is just a hot flush at about 2.30 having taken tablet 1 at about 9am. They do say some if not all side effects do diminish after about three months so do try and persevere if you can.

Trev

5

Itching and MS or Tecfedira what has been working for me at dinner time anti histamine (Benedryl) an a soda bath (Baking Soda) followed by calamine lotion this allows mw relief enough to go to sleep. I am new to learning to live with MS 4 - 8 months

Larry

6

itching is regarded as a flushing ‘category’ of side effect.

my advice… take an aspirin daily in the morning.

take an anti-histamine tablet if a flush comes on (not a mega drug… just a bog standard, off the supermarket shelf, type product)

and / or eat something; nothing major; just a snack type thing. a sarnie for example.

i usually get a dose of the prickles / itch in my face and neck, usually about 4 hours after daily dose #1. it will be mild, but regular, and never more then 10 minutes in duration. anything more than that though, and i pop and anti-histamine pill.

7

Funny I still get occasional flushing but a anti-histamine will sort that out

8

I have been on Tecfidera about 6 weeks and the flushing and itching started about two weeks ago I am curious will it stay with me the entire time I am taking TF. will it subside any one have ideas. I am at a loss frustrated I used to listen to BB King when I was having a bad day ( the thrill is gone) it picked me up an I was able to tackle issues, this is difficult now music helps although I am struggling with all of it.

9

my patches of itchiness came with week 3.

as your tolerance grows their frequency diminishes.

it is essentially a sort of allergic reaction, hence the usefulness of anti-histamines.

10

I’ve been on Tec for 18months, still get itching and flushes regularly and haven’t worked out what causes them sometimes beer, sometimes coffee sometimes seafood.

I like others find an anti histamine does the trick. They’re quite expensive so if you have a Prepayment Prescription certificate add it to the list.

if Tec works for you then the side effects are worth the price. Although I still flush the other side effects stopped after a couple of months

good luck

Adam

11

Thanks everyone it helps when others have this issue and with the anti histaminean soda baths it is tollerable.