Ocrelizumab injection

What is this medicine?

OCRELIZUMAB (ok re LIZ ue mab) treats multiple sclerosis. It helps to decrease the number of multiple sclerosis relapses. It is not a cure.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• facial flushing

• fast, irregular heartbeat

• lump or soreness in the breast

• signs and symptoms of herpes such as cold sore, shingles, or genital sores

• signs and symptoms of infection like fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or trouble passing urine

• signs and symptoms of low blood pressure like dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired

• signs and symptoms of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) like changes in vision; clumsiness; confusion; personality changes; weakness on one side of the body

• swelling of the ankles, feet, hands

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• back pain

• depressed mood

• diarrhea

• pain, redness, or irritation at site where injected

What may interact with this medicine?

• alemtuzumab

• daclizumab

• dimethyl fumarate

• fingolimod

• glatiramer

• interferon beta

• live virus vaccines

• mitoxantrone

• natalizumab

• peginterferon beta

• rituximab

• steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone

• teriflunomide

What if I miss a dose?

Keep appointments for follow-up doses as directed. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• cancer

• hepatitis B infection

• other infection (especially a virus infection such as chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)

• an unusual or allergic reaction to ocrelizumab, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

This medicine can cause serious allergic reactions. To reduce your risk you may need to take medicine before treatment with this medicine. Take your medicine as directed.

Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Female patients should use effective birth control methods while receiving this medicine and for 6 months after the last dose.

Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

If you have a hepatitis B infection or a history of a hepatitis B infection, talk to your doctor. The symptoms of hepatitis B may get worse if you take this medicine.

In some patients, this medicine may cause a serious brain infection that may cause death. If you have any problems seeing, thinking, speaking, walking, or standing, tell your doctor right away. If you cannot reach your doctor, urgently seek other source of medical care.

This medicine can decrease the response to a vaccine. If you need to get vaccinated, tell your healthcare professional if you have received this medicine. Extra booster doses may be needed. Talk to your doctor to see if a different vaccination schedule is needed.

Talk to your doctor about your risk of cancer. You may be more at risk for certain types of cancers if you take this medicine.