Ocrevus is a drug indicated for Multiple Sclerosis, from the Roche laboratory. This medicine is a monoclonal antibody produced in a synthetic way, in the laboratory, whose active ingredient is Ocrelizumab.
This medication consists of an injection that must be administered at the hospital, because it is necessary for the patient to be monitored for at least 1 hour after its application because serious reactions, such as suffocation, may occur, requiring immediate medical intervention. The most serious reactions are more common in the 1st application of this injection, and therefore, some hospitals may choose to stay for 1 day for the application of this 1st dose. In subsequent doses, as severe reactions are less common, hospitalization may not be necessary, and the patient will only be observed for 1 hour.
What is it for
This medicine is used to fight the progression of Multiple Sclerosis, being indicated in case of adult patients diagnosed with outbreak-remission Multiple Sclerosis or in case of primary progressive Multiple Sclerosis.
Price
The drug Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) costs about 38 thousand reais, but is made available by SUS.
How to use
This medicine should be used by intravenous infusion in a hospital setting. Before its application it is necessary to:
- Apply 100 mg of intravenous methylprednisolone, or an equivalent medicine, approximately 30 minutes before each Ocrevus infusion to prevent problems related to the infusion of the medicine; Take an antihistamine 30 to 60 minutes before the infusion, to decrease the risk of allergic reaction; Take an anti-pyretic such as paracetamol, 30 to 60 minutes before the infusion, to maintain normal body temperature.
The first application of the ocrelizumab injection is done in separate doses. The initial dose being 300 mg in one week, and another 300 mg, 2 weeks later. The following doses can be performed together, totaling 600mg per infusion, every 6 months. The minimum interval between each dose is 5 months.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects that can occur with the use of Ocrevus are infection of the upper respiratory tract, irritation in the nose and throat and flu symptoms. Infections can also occur in other regions of the body.
In addition, other more serious reactions may appear after the first infusion, being more frequent in the first 24 hours, such as itchy body, rash, hives, redness, oropharyngeal irritation, oropharyngeal pain, shortness of breath, throat swelling that can make breathing difficult, redness in the face, low blood pressure, fever, fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea and increased heart rate.
When not to be used
Ocrelizumab is contraindicated for children and adolescents under 18 years of age because studies on its effectiveness and safety have not been carried out in this age group.
In addition, it should not be used in case of active infection, as in the case of active hepatitis B, and in case of severe immune compromise with lymphopenia, neutropenia, hypogammaglobulinemia, or active cancer. The use of other immunosuppressants at the same time as Ocrevus is not recommended, except for corticosteroids for the symptomatic treatment of outbreaks.
It should also not be used in people who have had a reaction to the infusion of this medicine before.
Women of childbearing potential must not become pregnant within 1 year of starting treatment with ocrelizumab.
