The U.S. FDA approved ocrelizumab on March 28, 2017. Ocrelizumab is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS), early primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS).

It is used to treat adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, a type of multiple sclerosis that can damage the central nervous system, and early primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), a neurodegenerative form of multiple sclerosis.

Ocrelizumab is available as syringes in an 18 mg injection which is administered into the veins by your doctor. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. Only stop taking the medicine if your doctor advises you to stop.

The common side effects that are experienced while you are on the treatment with ocrelizumab Injection are sore throat and runny nose may indicate a range of conditions, including the flu, sinus infection, bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes), stomach and bowel infection (gastroenteritis), respiratory tract infection, viral infection, conjunctivitis (characterized by eye discharge, itching, redness, and swelling), cough, and the formation of thick mucus in the nose, throat, or chest, low white blood cell count. Report your doctor immediately if you have infusion-related reactions, skin infection (cellulitis) and herpes infection (cold sore or shingles).

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to ocrelizumab, sodium, or any of the ingredients present in them. Consult your doctor if you have a current infection, hepatitis B, a problem in the immune system, or cancer. Inform the doctor if you have an infusion-related reaction (fever, rigors, chills, myalgias, arthralgias, nausea, vomiting, headaches, hypotension, hypertension, and flushing).

Inform your doctor about the prescribed and non prescribed medicines and vaccine history or schedule before using the medicine. It will help you to get an appropriate treatment plan from your doctor. Consult your doctor if you are planning to get pregnant or think you may be pregnant or while you are breastfeeding. The safety and effectiveness of the drug have not been established in children under 18 years of age.

It is recommended to drink hot water and gargle with salt water to get relief from the sore throat. Use the nasal spray and facial stream for running nose and flu. Your doctor may recommend you monitor the white cell blood cell count. It is advised to put a warm compression over the nose and forehead to relieve sinus pressure due to the sinus infection.

1. Roche Products Limited, Electronic Medicine Compendium (EMC), [Revised on April 2023], [Accessed on 05th Mar 2024], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.8898.pdf
2. Norditropin Injection - US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on Aug 2022], [Accessed on 05th Mar 2024] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/761053s029s030lbl.pdf
3. Goodman & Gilman’s Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Immunosuppressants and Tolerogens, 2018, 13th Edition, 650-661.

 The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice, it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.