Important information on OCREVUS
There are some side effects and risks to be aware of when receiving OCREVUS. Your doctor will consider the best time for you to begin treatment with OCREVUS.
The most common side effects of OCREVUS are infusion-related reactions (IRR). Infusion reactions 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, 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:
These include:
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat
- Swelling of other parts of your body
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, or other breathing difficulties
- Itching, hives or a rash on your skin
- Nausea
- A fever or chills
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- An abnormal or irregular heartbeat
OCREVUS increases 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).
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 and 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.