Ocrevus or ocrelizumab is a new drug approved for treating patients with relapsing or primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). It is the first and only approved disease-modifying therapy for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Ocrevus was approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Understanding the Role of Ocrevus (Ocrelizumab)
Ocrelizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that binds CD20-expressing B cells. This binding of the B cells helps to reduce the number of B cells that are circulating in the bloodstream. B cells are thought to contribute to the immune system-mediated damage that forms in the brain and the spinal cord in a patient with multiple sclerosis.
Who Can Use Ocrevus?
Ocrevus is administered as an intravenous infusion every six months and is mostly used to treat adult patients with MS.
Patients who take Ocrevus may experience infusion reactions or certain side effects. The infusion reactions may include pruritus, rashes, urticaria, erythema, bronchospasm, throat irritation, oropharyngeal0 pain, dyspnea, pharyngeal or laryngeal edema, flushing, hypotension, pyrexia, fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, and tachycardia.
Taking Ocrevus can also increase a patient’s risk of infection. The potential infections include the herpes infection and respiratory tract infections. Using ocrelizumab may also increase a patient’s risk of cancerous growths. This includes breast cancer and other cancers.
If you experience any of the potential side effects of Ocrevus, get medical help immediately.
The use of Ocrevus has been shown to reduce the risk of progression of clinical disability by as much as 24% in patients with primary progressive MS. It also worked by reducing the volume of brain lesions in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. In patients with relapsing MS, Ocrevus has been reported to reduce the annualized relapse rate by as much as 47%.
Speak to your primary physician to help you decide if Ocrevus is the right course of treatment for you.
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Posted on March 24, 2023