Real Talk Rx: Ocrevus®

Ocrevus® (ocrelizumab) is a disease-modifying therapy used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Like Kesimpta® and Briumvi®, it is an anti-CD20 therapy that targets certain B cells involved in the abnormal immune activity that occurs with MS.

Ocrevus® is a humanized monoclonal antibody. This means it is a lab-made antibody designed so that most of its structure is similar to antibodies found in the human body. “Humanized” describes the medication’s structure and does not mean it is safer or more effective than other anti-CD20 therapies.²

Your healthcare team will consider the type and stage of MS, previous treatment, infection risk, antibody levels, liver function, vaccination history, other health conditions, current medications, and pregnancy plans before deciding whether Ocrevus is an appropriate treatment for you.²

Who Can Take Ocrevus®?

• Ocrevus may be prescribed for adults with relapsing forms of MS, including:
• Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)
• Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)
• Active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (active SPMS)²

Ocrevus® is also approved for certain children with RRMS and adults with primary progressive MS (PPMS). With PPMS, symptoms and physical problems gradually worsen from the beginning, usually without periods of relapses and remissions.²

Ocrevus® is used for long-term control of MS. For relapsing forms of MS, it can help reduce future relapses and new MS activity, but it does not stop a relapse that has already started or directly relieve current symptoms.²

How Does Ocrevus® Work?

Ocrevus® targets certain B cells, which are part of the immune system. B cells normally help the body fight infections and build protection after vaccination. In MS, some B cells also take part in the immune attack that causes inflammation and damage in the brain and spinal cord.¹,²,³

Many of the B cells involved in this attack carry a protein called CD20. Anti-CD20 therapies attach to this protein and help the immune system remove these B cells. Decreasing the number of these cells reduces immune activity that can cause new RRMS damage.¹,²,³

How Is Ocrevus® Taken?

Ocrevus® is given by a trained healthcare professional as an infusion.

Treatment begins with two infusions:

• The first dose is divided into two infusions.
• The two infusions are given two weeks apart.
• After that, one full infusion is generally given every six months.²

Before each infusion, patients receive a corticosteroid, such as methylprednisolone, and an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine. These medications help reduce the chance and severity of a possible infusion reaction. Acetaminophen may also be considered.²

Patients are monitored during the infusion and for at least one hour after it is completed.²

What Does Research Show?

Two large clinical trials compared Ocrevus® with Rebif® (interferon beta-1a), another disease-modifying therapy used for relapsing MS. Patients taking Ocrevus® had about a 46% to 47% lower relapse rate than people taking Rebif®. Ocrevus® also reduced new or enlarging areas of MS activity seen on MRI.⁵ When results from both studies were combined, patients taking Ocrevus were also less likely to have worsening disability that continued for at least three or six months.⁵

Possible side effects with Anti-CD20 Therapy:

• Infusion reactions
• Upper respiratory infections, such as a stuffy nose, runny nose, or sore throat
• Headache
• Lower respiratory infections
• Herpes infections
• Pain in the arms or legs
• Trouble sleeping
• Low energy²

Infusion reactions are among the most common side effects and occur most often with the first infusion. Symptoms may include itching, rash, flushing, throat irritation, fever, headache, nausea, dizziness, or trouble breathing.²

Possible Serious Side Effects

Seek immediate medical treatment for:

• Trouble breathing
• Swelling of the face or throat
• Severe rash or hives
• Dizziness or fainting
• Dark urine
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Pain under the right rib cage
• New or worsening weakness
• Vision problems
• Poor coordination
• Confusion
• Memory changes
• Personality changes²

Serious risks associated with anti-CD20 therapy may include serious infections, severe infusion reactions, low antibody levels, liver injury, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare but serious brain infection.²

**Ocrevus® can also cause colitis, which is swelling and irritation in the large intestine. Warning signs may include ongoing diarrhea, stomach pain, or blood in the stool.²

**Ocrevus® may increase the risk of cancer, including breast cancer. Patients should follow recommended breast cancer screening guidelines and remain up to date with all other recommended cancer screenings.²

Patients should contact their healthcare team about new or worsening symptoms, signs of infection, ongoing diarrhea, stomach pain, blood in the stool, or reactions that are severe or do not improve.

During treatment, the healthcare team continues to monitor for infections, changes in antibody levels, liver problems, and reactions related to an infusion. Treatment may be delayed when an active infection is present.¹,²,³

What Should You Discuss With Your Doctor?

• Why are you recommending this anti-CD20 therapy for my RMS?
• How is the medication given, and how often will I receive it?
• What blood tests or vaccines do I need before starting treatment?
• How will you monitor me for infections and other side effects?
• Which symptoms should I report right away?
• How will we determine whether the medication is controlling my RMS?
• Could my other medications, health conditions, or pregnancy plans affect this treatment choice?
• For females, is pregnancy testing and birth control needed?

What Savings and Support Programs Are Available?

Patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis can find access to Ocrevus® through several program options. Some of those programs may help lower out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients with private insurance, help patients and healthcare teams understand insurance coverage and available financial assistance, or provide Ocrevus at no cost to eligible patients who are uninsured or meet certain financial requirements. Learn more about savings and support for OCREVUS® 

Key Points

• Ocrevus® is an anti-CD20 disease-modifying therapy used for relapsing forms of MS and primary progressive MS.²
• The first dose is divided into two infusions given two weeks apart; After the first divided dose, Ocrevus is generally given once every six months.²
• Infection risk, hepatitis B status, antibody levels, liver function, and vaccines should be reviewed before and during treatment.²
• Patients should remain up to date with recommended cancer screenings.²
• Report signs of infection, severe infusion reactions, liver problems, ongoing diarrhea or blood in the stool, or new neurologic symptoms to your healthcare team.
• Do not stop Ocrevus® or change your treatment schedule without speaking with your healthcare provider.

This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking any drug or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.