PO143 Use of dimethyl fumarate for multiple sclerosis at exeter hospital

Introduction Dimethyl fumarate is used to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. We audited it’s use at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital against the manufacturers recommendations for monitoring bloods and reviewed it’s tolerability and effectiveness. Methods Patients were identified who started dimethyl fumarate between December 2014 and July 2016 from a database kept by the multiple sclerosis specialist nurse. The dates the drug was taken, side effects, outcomes of MRI scans and blood test results were recorded and analysed to assess compliance with the manufacturers recommendations. Results 98 patients were started on dimethyl fumarate. 68.4% remained on the drug. 82.8% of those that stopped the drug did so because of side effects. The commonest side effects of the drug recorded were flushing, gastrointestinal disturbance and dermatological. 27.6% of patients had an MRI scan just prior to treatment or within 2 months of starting. 2 of 22 scans performed over 2 months after starting the drug showed enhancement. 61.0% of patients had the desired blood monitoring. Conclusions Dimethyl fumarate was effective in our cohort, but side effects were frequent. Many patients didn’t get the desired monitoring with MRI or bloods and ideally systems will be instituted so this happens in the future.