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OCREVUS Covid-19 update

April 2022

Your OCREVUS treatment

As COVID-19 is caused by a new strain of coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), knowledge about how it may affect people with MS and those treated with OCREVUS is currently limited. Therefore, we do not yet have enough data to inform specific recommendations or changes to treatment with OCREVUS. Please speak with your doctor or healthcare team before stopping or delaying treatment, as we believe that treatment decisions are personal and should be made between you and your healthcare team. Your doctor will be able to assess the benefits and risks specific to your overall health situation.

COVID-19 precautions and recommendations for immunocompromised people

Although you may be fully vaccinated, people with weakened immune systems may not be fully protected from COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises you to continue taking all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people (for example: wearing a mask in indoor public places, maintaining six feet of distance from people who don’t live in your household) until directed otherwise by your healthcare provider.

In addition, the CDC recommends some immunocompromised people receive a third dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna).

At this time, there is not enough information available about the COVID-19 vaccines to draw conclusions regarding their use for people taking OCREVUS. Because the COVID-19 vaccines are not considered live, they do not carry the potential risk of infection with COVID-19. Therefore, OCREVUS patients may be able to receive the vaccine. OCREVUS may impact the effectiveness of non-live vaccines, which is why you should receive the COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 weeks before you start treatment with OCREVUS. Talk to your doctor to coordinate timing of your COVID-19 vaccine and for more information download our OCREVUS & COVID-19 Vaccines fact sheet.

Download the Covid-19 fact sheet

More than anything else, we want you to know that your health and safety are, and always will be, our first priority. We will always do our best to keep you informed as new and additional information about COVID-19 vaccines becomes available.

For more detailed information, including the most up-to-date vaccination guidelines and the CDC’s guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in immunocompromised people (including people who take immunosuppressive medications), please visit the CDC COVID-19 Vaccines page, and most importantly, talk with your doctor.

The National MS Society has also developed guidance related to COVID-19 vaccines specific to the MS community, including guidance related to an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and the timing of MS medications with COVID-19 vaccines. Click here for more information.

Links to independent third-party sites are provided for your convenience. Genentech does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of content contained on third-party sites.

Trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

PASTELL, an MS patient, using OCREVUS since 2018

Questions about taking OCREVUS?

We understand you may be facing many challenges during this difficult time. We believe paying for your prescribed medicines shouldn't be one of those challenges. If your insurance or financial situation has changed, or if you are looking for support in finding an infusion site, including home infusion, we may be able to help. Please call OCREVUS CONNECTS® at 1-844-OCREVUS (1-844-627-3887) to speak with a Patient Navigator. Learn more.

Download the Covid-19 fact sheet

Important Safety Information & Indications

What is OCREVUS?

OCREVUS is a prescription medicine 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 is safe and effective in children.

Who should not receive OCREVUS?

Do not receive OCREVUS if you have an active hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Do not receive OCREVUS if you have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to OCREVUS. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had an allergic reaction to OCREVUS or any of its ingredients in the past.

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

OCREVUS can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Infusion reactions: 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. 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 heart beat

These infusion reactions can happen for up to 24 hours after your infusion. 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. If you get infusion reactions, your healthcare provider may need to stop or slow down the rate of your infusion.

  • Infection:
    • Infections are a common side effect. OCREVUS increases your risk of getting upper respiratory tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and herpes infections. Serious infections can happen with OCREVUS, 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, 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. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection. Your healthcare provider should delay your treatment with OCREVUS until your infection is gone.
    • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation: Before starting treatment with OCREVUS, 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. 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.
    • Weakened immune system: OCREVUS 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 OCREVUS. 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 may cause a decrease in some types of immunoglobulins. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your blood immunoglobulin levels.

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

  • have ever taken, take, or plan to take medicines that affect your immune system, or other treatments for MS.
  • have ever had hepatitis B or are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus.
  • have a history of inflammatory bowel disease or colitis.
  • 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. You should not receive ‘live’ or ‘live attenuated’ vaccines while you are being treated with OCREVUS 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. If you would like to receive any non-live (inactivated) vaccines, including the seasonal flu vaccine, while you are being treated with OCREVUS, talk to your healthcare provider.
    • If you have a baby and you received OCREVUS during your pregnancy, it is important to tell your baby’s healthcare provider about receiving OCREVUS 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 will harm your unborn baby. You should use birth control (contraception) during treatment with OCREVUS and for 6 months after your last infusion of OCREVUS. Talk with your healthcare provider about what birth control method is right for you during this time.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if OCREVUS passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take OCREVUS.

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?

OCREVUS 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

These are not all the possible side effects of OCREVUS.

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.

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