Tecfidera vs Tysabri
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Tecfidera
Dimethyl Fumarate
Manufactured by Biogen
Tysabri
Natalizumab
Manufactured by Biogen
Tecfidera costs 59% less per claim than Tysabri ($4,103.00 vs $9,952.00). A generic version of Tecfidera is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Tecfidera | Tysabri |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $4,103.00 | $9,952.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $1.8B | $1.2B |
| Total Beneficiaries | 38,000 | 11,000 |
| Total Claims | 428,000 | 124,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $46,211.00 | $112,182.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | -28.4% | -3.2% |
| Generic Available | Yes | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Apr 12, 2024 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Biogen | Biogen |
| Condition | Multiple Sclerosis | Multiple Sclerosis |
| Generic Name | Dimethyl Fumarate | Natalizumab |
Tecfidera vs Tysabri: What the Data Shows
Tecfidera (Dimethyl Fumarate) and Tysabri (Natalizumab) are both used to treat multiple sclerosis. Based on Medicare Part D data, Tecfidera costs $4,103.00 per claim, which is 59% less than Tysabri at $9,952.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $1.8B on Tecfidera and $1.2B on Tysabri. In terms of patient reach, Tecfidera serves more beneficiaries (38,000 vs 11,000).
Year-over-year spending changed -28.4% for Tecfidera and -3.2% for Tysabri.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Patients should discuss generic alternatives with their pharmacist to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tecfidera is cheaper at $4,103.00 per claim, compared to $9,952.00 for Tysabri. That makes Tecfidera about 59% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Tecfidera and Tysabri are used to treat multiple sclerosis. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Generic Dimethyl Fumarate and generic Natalizumab can offer significant cost savings, typically 80-95% less than the brand name.
Medicare Part D spent $1.8B on Tecfidera covering 38,000 beneficiaries, and $1.2B on Tysabri covering 11,000 beneficiaries.
Explore Further
Cost data reflects Medicare Part D spending and may not represent retail pharmacy prices. Average cost per claim represents the total drug cost (not patient out-of-pocket) divided by total claims. This comparison is informational only and should not replace medical advice.
Comparing Tecfidera and Tysabri on U.S. Medicare prescription-drug pricing requires lining up the underlying CMS Medicare Part D Drug Spending data data side by side. The table above runs the comparison on the canonical fields; the narrative below identifies the factor or factors that drive the most meaningful difference between the two.
For households or analysts using this comparison as a decision input, the right framing is usually not "which is better" in aggregate but "which is better for the specific decision in front of you." CMS Medicare Part D Drug Spending data captures the raw data; the framing depends on whether the question is investment, residency, planning, or research.
Source: CMS Medicare Part D Spending, 2026.