Fumaric acid is a white solid found in nature and has a fruit-like taste. It is developed as a medicine to treat the autoimmune condition psoriasis in the 1950s. It is also used as a food additive. Fumaric acid is related to malic acid which is involved in the production of energy.
USES:
• Fumaric acid is used in the manufacturing of polyester resins and polyhydric alcohols
• It is used as a mordant for dyes.
• Fumaric acid is a food additive in baking powders and beverages.
• Fumaric acid esters are prescribed to treat psoriasis and multiple sclerosis.
• It is used in bone tissue engineering applications. A biodegradable polyester called PPF, made from propylene glycol and diethyl fumarate, is used in bone tissue engineering applications.
• Fumaric acid added to animal feed can lower the methane released during digestion by up to 70%.
• Fumaric acid-based materials are biodegradable and have good biocompatibility, making them a promising option for green and environmentally friendly biomaterials.
• It is used in bread, jam, jellies, juice drinks, candy, and water as an emulsifying agent.
DOSAGE:
Fumaric acid is available in the form of oral tablets with a combination of other drugs. Based on the patient's condition the dosage will be prescribed. In each patient, the final dosage needs to be adjusted according to the individual response to the treatment. Mostly named fumaderm tablets are prescribed, the dosage can be increased upon the patient tolerance. The final dosage may range up to -2 g/d.The treatment can be discontinued abruptly as relapse or rebound phenomena do not occur.
ADVERSE EFFECTS:
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Malaise
• Elevated eosinophil counts
• Leukocytopenia
• Lymphocytopenia
• Diarrhea
OVERDOSE:
Taking an overdose of fumaric acid can lead to nephrotoxic effects.
PHARMACEUTICAL USES:
• Fumaric acid is used as a lubricant in the manufacturing of tablets. It can be mixed with a powdery tablet preparation to facilitate the pre-pressing of the powder into tablets.
• Fumaric acid esters are used in treating severe refractory psoriasis. It is a mixture of dimethyl fumarate, calcium, magnesium, and zinc salts of monoethyl hydrogen fumarate. In long-term treatment, patients have shown some improvement in nail psoriasis, which is often very difficult to treat.
• Also used in treating psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis capitis, pustular psoriasis, and plaque psoriasis.
• It is also used in treating multiple sclerosis by a significant reduction in the number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions.
DERIVATIVE PRODUCTS:
• Fumaryl chloride
• Ferrous fumarate
• Fumaric acid esters like monoethyl fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, methyl hydrogen fumarate
• Fumaronitrile
• Ammonium fumarate
