OCREVUS
OCRELIZUMAB
Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE OCREVUS is indicated for the treatment of: Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults Primary progressive MS, in adults OCREVUS is a CD20-directed cytolytic antibody indicated for the treatment of: Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults ( 1 ) Primary progressive MS, in adults ( 1 ) Dosage and administration 2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Before initiating OCREVUS, screen for Hepatitis B virus and obtain serum quantitative immunoglobulins, aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin ( 2.1 ) Pre-medicate with methylprednisolone (or an equivalent corticosteroid) and an antihistamine (e.g., diphenhydramine) prior to each infusion ( 2.2 ) Administer OCREVUS by intravenous infusion Start dose: 300 mg intravenous infusion, followed two weeks later by a second 300 mg intravenous infusion ( 2.3 ) Subsequent doses: 600 mg intravenous infusion every 6 months ( 2.3 ) Must be diluted prior to administration ( 2.3 , 2.6 ) Monitor patients closely during and for at least one hour after infusion ( 2.3 , 2.5 ) 2.1 Assessments Prior to First Dose of OCREVUS Hepatitis B Virus Screening Prior to initiating OCREVUS, perform Hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening.
OCREVUS is contraindicated in patients with active HBV confirmed by positive results for HBsAg and anti-HBV tests.
Structured Monograph
Clinical summary
Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE OCREVUS is indicated for the treatment of: Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults Primary progressive MS, in adults OCREVUS is a CD20-directed cytolytic antibody indicated for the treatment of: Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults ( 1 ) Primary progressive MS, in adults ( 1 ) Dosage and administration 2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Before initiating OCREVUS, screen for Hepatitis B virus and obtain serum quantitative immunoglobulins, aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin ( 2.1 ) Pre-medicate with methylprednisolone (or an equivalent corticosteroid) and an antihistamine (e.g., diphenhydramine) prior to each infusion ( 2.2 ) Administer OCREVUS by intravenous infusion Start dose: 300 mg intravenous infusion, followed two weeks later by a second 300 mg intravenous infusion ( 2.3 ) Subsequent doses: 600 mg intravenous infusion every 6 months ( 2.3 ) Must be diluted prior to administration ( 2.3 , 2.6 ) Monitor patients closely during and for at least one hour after infusion ( 2.3 , 2.5 ) 2.1 Assessments Prior to First Dose of OCREVUS Hepatitis B Virus Screening Prior to initiating OCREVUS, perform Hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening. OCREVUS is contraindicated in patients with active HBV confirmed by positive results for HBsAg and anti-HBV tests. For patients who are negative for surface antigen [HBsAg] and positive for HB core antibody [HBcAb+] or are carriers of HBV [HBsAg+], consult liver disease experts before starting and during treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Serum Immunoglobulins Prior to initiating OCREVUS, perform testing for quantitative serum immunoglobulins [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . For patients with low serum immunoglobulins, consult immunology experts before initiating treatment with OCREVUS. Vaccinations Because vaccination with live-attenuated or live vaccines is not recommended during treatment and after discontinuation until B-cell repletion, administer all immunizations according to immunization guidelines at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of OCREVUS for live or live-attenuated vaccines and, whenever possible, at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of OCREVUS for non-live vaccines [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] . Liver Function Tests Prior to initiating OCREVUS, obtain serum aminotransferases (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST]), alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin levels [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] . 2.2 Preparation Before Every Infusion Infection Assessment Prior to every infusion of OCREVUS, determine whether there is an active infection. In case of active infection, delay infusion of OCREVUS until the infection resolves [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Recommended Premedication Pre-medicate with 100 mg of methylprednisolone (or an equivalent corticosteroid) administered intravenously approximately 30 minutes prior to each OCREVUS infusion to reduce the frequency and severity of infusion reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Pre-medicate with an antihistamine (e.g., diphenhydramine) approximately 30-60 minutes prior to each OCREVUS infusion to further reduce the frequency and severity of infusion reactions. The addition of an antipyretic (e.g., acetaminophen) may also be considered. 2.3 Recommended Dosage and Dose Administration Administer OCREVUS under the close supervision of an experienced healthcare professional with access to appropriate medical support to manage severe reactions such as serious infusion reactions. Initial dose: 300 mg intravenous infusion, followed two weeks later by a second 300 mg intravenous infusion. Subsequent doses: single 600 mg intravenous infusion every 6 months. Observe the patient for at least one hour after the completion of the infusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Table 1 Recommended Dose, Infusion Rate, and Infusion Duration for RMS and PPMS Amount and Volume Solutions of OCREVUS for intravenous infusion are prepared by dilution of the drug product into an infusion bag containing 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, to a final drug concentration of approximately 1.2 mg/mL. Infusion Rate and Duration Infusion time may take longer if the infusion is interrupted or slowed [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ] . Initial Dose (two infusions) Infusion 1 300 mg in 250 mL Start at 30 mL per hour Increase by 30 mL per hour every 30 minutes Maximum: 180 mL per hour Duration: 2.5 hours or longer Infusion 2 (2 weeks later) 300 mg in 250 mL Subsequent Doses (one infusion) every 6 months) Administer the first Subsequent Dose 6 months after Infusion 1 of the Initial Dose. Option 1 Infusion of approximately 3.5 hours durat
Monitoring
- • 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Infusion Reactions: Management recommendations for infusion reactions depend on the type and severity of the reaction.
- • Permanently discontinue OCREVUS if a life-threatening or disabling infusion reaction occurs ( 2.3 , 5.1 ) Infections: Serious, including life-threatening and fatal infections, have occurred.
- • Delay OCREVUS administration in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved.
- • Vaccination with live-attenuated or live vaccines is not recommended during treatment with OCREVUS and after discontinuation, until B-cell repletion ( 5.2 ) Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): Withhold OCREVUS at the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML ( 5.3 ) Reduction in Immunoglobulins: Monitor the level of immunoglobulins at the beginning of treatment.
Interaction Notes
- • 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Immunosuppressive or Immune-Modulating Therapies The concomitant use of OCREVUS and other immune-modulating or immunosuppressive therapies, including immunosuppressant doses of corticosteroids, is expected to increase the risk of immunosuppression.
- • Consider the risk of additive immune system effects when coadministering immunosuppressive therapies with OCREVUS.
- • When switching from drugs with prolonged immune effects, such as daclizumab, fingolimod, natalizumab, teriflunomide, or mitoxantrone, consider the duration and mode of action of these drugs because of additive immunosuppressive effects when initiating OCREVUS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].
- • 7.2 Vaccinations A Phase 3b randomized, open-label study examined the concomitant use of OCREVUS and several non-live vaccines in adults 18-55 years of age with relapsing forms of MS (68 subjects undergoing treatment with OCREVUS at the time of vaccination and 34 subjects not undergoing treatment with OCREVUS at the time of vaccination).