There are some side effects and risks to be aware of when receiving OCREVUS, whether through intravenous (IV) infusion or subcutaneous (SC) injection. Your healthcare provider will consider the best time for you to begin treatment with OCREVUS.
For OCREVUS IV infusions, the most common side effects are infusion-related reactions (IRRs). These can be serious, so you’ll be carefully monitored throughout your infusion and for at least one hour afterwards. However, because IRRs can happen for up to 24 hours after a dose of OCREVUS IV, it’s important that you tell your doctor or go to the Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing
- Swelling of other parts of your body
- Shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
- Skin problems including rash, itchiness or hives
- Fever, flushing or chills
- Cough, throat irritation or pain
- Feeling tired
- Headache
- Dizziness or light headedness
For OCREVUS subcutaneous injections, the most common side effects are injection-site reactions (IRs). These typically include:
- Redness
- Pain
- Swelling
- Itchiness
While generally mild to moderate, systemic injection reactions can also occur and share similar symptoms to the IRRs listed above (for IV). You will be monitored for IRs, especially after your first dose (for SC).
Both OCREVUS IV and OCREVUS SC increase your risk of getting upper respiratory and lower respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and herpes infections. Tell your healthcare provider
if you have an infection or have any of the following signs of infection including fever, chills, a cough that does not go away, or signs of herpes (such as cold sores, shingles, or genital sores).
Please be aware there have been reports of a rare, serious brain infection called PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) in patients receiving medicines for MS. PML can occur in patients taking OCREVUS (both IV and SC formulations) and is mostly associated with risk factors, such as age and pre-existing use of immunosuppressants. PML can cause severe disability or even death. Symptoms of PML can be similar to those of MS. Tell your partner or carer about your OCREVUS treatment. They might notice symptoms that you do not, such as changes in movement or behaviour, which your doctor may need to investigate.