About ocrelizum ab
Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody
Used for
- Treats relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults
- Treats primary progressive multiple sclerosis in adults
Usual adult dose
Subcutaneous injection every six months, administered by a healthcare professional; the first dose is usually split into two injections two weeks apart.
Common side effects
- Injection-site reactions
- Respiratory or skin infections
- Headache
- Reduced immunoglobulin levels
Important warnings
- Screen for hepatitis B before treatment; active infection must be treated first.
- Serious infections can occur; delay treatment during active infection.
- May reduce vaccine effectiveness; avoid live vaccines during treatment and until B-cell recovery.
- Rarely, serious brain infection called PML has occurred.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby. Effective contraception is recommended during treatment and for six months after the last dose.
Breastfeeding
Human data are limited; discuss potential infant risks and benefits with a healthcare professional.
Interactions
- Live or live-attenuated vaccines may cause infection; avoid during treatment and until B-cell recovery.
- Other immune-suppressing medicines may increase infection risk.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.