OBJECTIVES:  Few studies have relied on real-world data to describe the characteristics and treatment patterns of patients using oral disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) outside the US. This study reports the demographics, MS symptom burden, and treatment adherence among patients initiating treatment with a leading oral DMT – delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF, also known as gastro-resistant DMF) – in Israel. METHODS:  Patients aged ≥18 years diagnosed with MS and with ≥1 prescription for DMF were selected from de-identified electronic medical records data from a health fund in Israel (1/2013-1/2016). Patients were required to have continuous enrollment with the health fund for ≥12 months before (baseline) and ≥6 months after (follow-up) the first observed prescription (index) date. Patient characteristics during baseline and adherence during the follow-up period, as measured by medication possession ratio (MPR), were described. RESULTS: Of the 177 patients meeting the selection criteria (mean age: 40 years; ~30% male), 114 (64%) had previously used injectable DMTs for RRMS (primarily interferon beta). The average duration from MS diagnosis to index date was 69 months (median: 45 months). Nearly half of the patients had indications of neuropathic or musculoskeletal pain in the year before index, 26% bladder or bowel problems, 16% vision issues, 15% cognitive or psychiatric disorders, and 15% depression. The mean MPR during the 6-month follow-up period was 0.81 (median: 0.91); over two-thirds (69%) of the patients were considered adherent (MPR >0.8). CONCLUSIONS:  Patients initiating DMF in Israel had considerable symptom burden, and many used injectable DMTs prior to treatment initiation, possibly reflecting the relatively recent approval of the medication in Israel. Most patients were adherent to treatment during the 6-month follow-up period. Further research is needed to understand long-term adherence among Israeli patients.