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Alex

Father + Hero

Alex’s First Days of Diagnosis

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I was diagnosed with MS when I was in my early 30s and in good health. At the time, MS was the last thing on my mind. I was working hard to build my career, and my wife and I were expecting twins. My life was busy! Even though I knew MS could be a possible diagnosis after my MRI, I didn’t think it would be the case for me. I thought the issues I had with dizziness and vision were something minor and there would be a quick fix.

When I went in for my follow up appointment with my doctor, he didn’t waste any time. He immediately said, “You have MS.” I was in a state of shock, but my doctor just kept moving forward discussing treatments and plans. At this point, I knew MS was serious, but I had no clue what the disease was. I was overwhelmed by all the different treatment options. I was not mentally prepared when my doctor gave me some pamphlets about various medicines. I felt alone.

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At this point, I knew MS was serious, but I had no clue what the disease was.

Now, when I think about what I’d say if I could go back in time and give myself advice, it would be this:

  • Alex, you are NOT alone. You are about to become a part of a new “family” that will welcome you with open arms. The MS community is amazing.
  • MS is not death sentence. Even though there is no cure for MS, the treatments available have been helpful for so many people.
  • Lastly, you will be OK! Stay positive.

See more of Alex's stories

MS Is Just Part of My Life

Share some moments from Alex’s life and hear how he approaches his MS.

Alex M.

The Impacts of MS on My Life

Alex considers questions about his MS an opportunity to help educate about the disease.

Alex M.

Alex’s Infusion Experience

For Alex, infusions are something he looks forward to. Let him tell you why.

Alex M.
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Important Safety Information & Indications

What are OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO?

OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO are prescription medicines used to treat:

  • 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.

It is not known if OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO are safe and effective in children.

Who should not receive OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO?

Do not receive OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO if you:

  • have an active hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
  • have had a life-threatening administration reaction to ocrelizumab.
  • have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to ocrelizumab, hyaluronidase, or any of the ingredients of OCREVUS ZUNOVO. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had an allergic reaction to OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO or any of their ingredients in the past.

What is the most important information I should know about OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO?

OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Infusion reactions (OCREVUS): Infusion reactions are a common side effect of OCREVUS, which can be serious and may require you to be hospitalized. You will be monitored during your infusion and for at least 1 hour after each infusion of OCREVUS for signs and symptoms of an infusion reaction.
  • Injection reactions (OCREVUS ZUNOVO): Injection reactions are a common side effect of OCREVUS ZUNOVO, which can be serious and may require you to be hospitalized. You will be monitored for signs and symptoms of an injection reaction when you receive OCREVUS ZUNOVO. This will happen during all injections for at least 1 hour after your first injection, and for at least 15 minutes after all injections following the first injection.

Tell your healthcare provider or nurse if you get any of these symptoms:

  • itchy skin
  • rash
  • hives
  • tiredness
  • coughing or wheezing
  • trouble breathing
  • throat irritation or pain
  • feeling faint
  • fever
  • redness on your face (flushing)
  • nausea
  • headache
  • swelling of the throat
  • dizziness
  • shortness of breath
  • fatigue
  • fast heartbeat

Additionally, for OCREVUS ZUNOVO:

  • injection site pain
  • swelling
  • redness

These infusion and injection reactions can happen during or up to 24 hours after administration. It is important that you call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the signs or symptoms listed above after each infusion or injection.

  • Infection:
    • Infections are a common side effect. OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO increase your risk of getting upper respiratory tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and herpes infections. Serious infections can happen with OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO, which can be life-threatening or cause death. Tell your healthcare provider if you have an infection or have any of the following signs of infection including fever, chills, or a cough that does not go away, or painful urination. Signs of herpes infection include: cold sores, shingles, genital sores, skin rash, pain, and itching. Signs of more serious herpes infection include: changes in vision, eye redness or eye pain, severe or persistent headache, stiff neck, and confusion. Signs of infection can happen during treatment or after you have received your last dose of OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection. Your healthcare provider should delay your treatment with OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO until your infection is gone.
      • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation: Before starting treatment with ocrelizumab, your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for hepatitis B viral infection. If you have ever had hepatitis B virus infection, the hepatitis B virus may become active again during or after treatment with OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO. Hepatitis B virus becoming active again (called reactivation) may cause serious liver problems including liver failure or death. Your healthcare provider will monitor you if you are at risk for hepatitis B virus reactivation during treatment and after you stop receiving OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO.
      • Weakened immune system: OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO taken before or after other medicines that weaken the immune system could increase your risk of getting infections.
  • Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): PML is a rare brain infection that usually leads to death or severe disability and has been reported with ocrelizumab. Symptoms of PML get worse over days to weeks. It is important that you call your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening neurologic signs or symptoms that have lasted several days, including problems with:
    • thinking
    • eyesight
    • strength
    • balance
    • weakness on 1 side of your body
    • using your arms or legs
  • Decreased immunoglobulins: OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO may cause a decrease in some types of antibodies. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your blood immunoglobulin levels.

Before receiving OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have or think you have an infection. See “What is the most important information I should know about OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO?”
  • have ever taken, take, or plan to take medicines that affect your immune system, or other treatments for MS. These medicines could increase your risk of getting an infection.
  • have ever had hepatitis B or are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus.
  • have a history of inflammatory bowel disease or colitis.
  • have a history of liver problems.
  • have had a recent vaccination or are scheduled to receive any vaccinations.
    • You should receive any required ‘live’ or ‘live-attenuated’ vaccines at least 4 weeks before you start treatment with OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO. You should not receive ‘live’ or ‘live-attenuated’ vaccines while you are being treated with OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO and until your healthcare provider tells you that your immune system is no longer weakened.
    • When possible, you should receive any ‘non-live’ vaccines at least 2 weeks before you start treatment with OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO. If you would like to receive any non-live (inactivated) vaccines, including the seasonal flu vaccine, while you are being treated with OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO, talk to your healthcare provider.
    • If you have a baby and you received OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO during your pregnancy, it is important to tell your baby’s healthcare provider about receiving OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO so they can decide when your baby should be vaccinated.
  • are pregnant, think that you might be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO will harm your unborn baby. You should use birth control (contraception) during treatment with OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO and for 6 months after your last dose of OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO. Talk with your healthcare provider about what birth control method is right for you during this time. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while receiving OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO pass into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO?

OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Risk of cancers (malignancies) including breast cancer: Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about standard screening guidelines for breast cancer.
  • Inflammation of the colon, or colitis: Tell your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms of colitis, such as:
    • Diarrhea (loose stools) or more frequent bowel movements than usual
    • Stools that are black, tarry, sticky or have blood or mucus
    • Severe stomach-area (abdomen) pain or tenderness
  • Liver damage. OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO may cause liver damage. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver before you start OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO and while you take OCREVUS or OCREVUS ZUNOVO if needed. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage, such as:
    • yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
    • nausea
    • vomiting
    • unusual darkening of the urine
    • feeling tired or weak

The most common side effects of OCREVUS ZUNOVO include:

  • Injection reactions
  • Respiratory tract infections
  • Skin infections

These are not all the possible side effects of OCREVUS and OCREVUS ZUNOVO.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

For more information, go to www.OCREVUS.com or call 1-844-627-3887.

Please see additional Important Safety Information throughout and click here for full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for OCREVUS.

Please see additional Important Safety Information throughout and click here for full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for OCREVUS ZUNOVO.

    • Stuifbergen A, Becker H, Phillips C, Horton S, Morrison J, Perez F. Experiences of African American Women with Multiple Sclerosis. Int J MS Care. 2021;23(2):59-65.

      Stuifbergen A, Becker H, Phillips C, Horton S, Morrison J, Perez F. Experiences of African American Women with Multiple Sclerosis. Int J MS Care. 2021;23(2):59-65.

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      Langer-Gould AM, Gonzales EG, Smith JB, Li BH, Nelson LM. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence. Neurology. 2022;98(18):e1818-e1827.

    • Okai AF, Howard AM, Williams MJ, et al. Advancing Care and Outcomes for African American Patients With Multiple Sclerosis. Neurology. 2022;98(24):1015​-1020.

      Okai AF, Howard AM, Williams MJ, et al. Advancing Care and Outcomes for African American Patients With Multiple Sclerosis. Neurology. 2022;98(24):1015​-1020.

    • Amezcua L, McCauley JL. Race and ethnicity on MS presentation and disease course. Mult Scler. 2020;26(5):561​-567.

      Amezcua L, McCauley JL. Race and ethnicity on MS presentation and disease course. Mult Scler. 2020;26(5):561​-567.

    • Ingram M, Leih R, Adkins A, Sonmez E, Yetman E. Health Disparities, Transportation Equity and Complete Streets: a Case Study of a Policy Development Process through the Lens of Critical Race Theory. J Urban Health. 2020;97(6):876​-886.

      Ingram M, Leih R, Adkins A, Sonmez E, Yetman E. Health Disparities, Transportation Equity and Complete Streets: a Case Study of a Policy Development Process through the Lens of Critical Race Theory. J Urban Health. 2020;97(6):876​-886.

    • Sohn H. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Insurance Coverage: Dynamics of Gaining and Losing Coverage over the Life-Course. Popul Res Policy Rev. 2017;36(2):181​-201.

      Sohn H. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Insurance Coverage: Dynamics of Gaining and Losing Coverage over the Life-Course. Popul Res Policy Rev. 2017;36(2):181​-201.

    • Taylor J. Racism, Inequality, and Health Care for African Americans. The Century Foundation. December 19, 2019. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://tcf.org/content/report/racism-inequality-health-care-african-americans.

      Taylor J. Racism, Inequality, and Health Care for African Americans. The Century Foundation. December 19, 2019. Accessed April 16, 2023. https://tcf.org/content/report/racism-inequality-health-care-african-americans.

    • immune system

      The immune system uses many types of cells, including B cells and T cells, to help the body fight infections caused by viruses or bacteria.

    • B cells

      B cells produce antibodies and stimulate other proteins. In MS, these can cause damage to the central nervous system.

    • T cells

      T cells release chemicals that cause inflammation and damage. They also help to activate B cells.

    • lesions

      A brain lesion describes the damage MS causes to any part of the central nervous systems such as the brain or spinal cord.

    • Clinical Education Manager

      A Clinical Education Manager (CEM) is someone who can answer questions to help you feel more informed about your treatment. CEMs are Genentech employees and do not provide medical advice. Your healthcare provider should always be your main resource for questions about your health and medical care.