Ocrevus®
| Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary |
The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
| 1. Why am I using Ocrevus? |
Ocrevus contains the active ingredient ocrelizumab. Ocrevus is used for the treatment of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis and primary progressive multiple sclerosis. For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using Ocrevus? in the full CMI.
| 2. What should I know before I use Ocrevus? |
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Ocrevus or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use Ocrevus? in the full CMI.
| 3. What if I am taking other medicines? |
Some medicines may interfere with Ocrevus and affect how it works or Ocrevus may affect how other medicines work. A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.
| 4. How do I use Ocrevus? |
Your doctor or nurse will administer your Ocrevus dose as an intravenous infusion. The dose is 600 mg every 6 months. Your first 600 mg dose will be given as 2 separate infusions (300 mg each), given 2 weeks apart. Thereafter, you will receive a single infusion dose of 600mg, every 6 months. More information can be found in Section 4. How do I use Ocrevus? in the full CMI.
| 5. What should I know while using Ocrevus? |
| Things you should do |
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| Things you should not do |
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| Driving or using machines |
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| Looking after your medicine |
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For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using Ocrevus? in the full CMI.
| 6. Are there any side effects? |
All medicines can have side effects. If they do occur, they are usually minor and temporary. Do not be alarmed by this list. You may not experience any of them. Common side effects include infusion related reactions and some types of infections. Infusion related reactions and infections can be serious or less serious. Allergic reactions such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing, chest tightness, wheezing, coughing, and asthma that becomes worse, are serious side effects.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Ocrevus® (pronounced oak-rev-us)
Active ingredient: ocrelizumab
| Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) |
This leaflet provides important information about using Ocrevus. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using Ocrevus.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using Ocrevus?
2. What should I know before I use Ocrevus?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use Ocrevus?
5. What should I know while using Ocrevus?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
| 1. Why am I using Ocrevus? |
Ocrevus contains the active ingredient ocrelizumab. Ocrevus is a monoclonal antibody. Antibodies are proteins, produced naturally in the body, which help the immune system by specifically recognising and binding to proteins found on target cells. Monoclonal antibodies are designed to work like natural antibodies so that they can target specific proteins involved in disease.
Ocrevus is used to treat patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis.
Ocrevus works on a type cell of the immune system called B-cells, which play a role in multiple sclerosis. By targeting specific B cells, Ocrevus may reduce inflammation and attacks to the nervous system. Ocrevus can decrease the number of flare-ups (relapses) and slow the worsening of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. It can also reduce the worsening of primary progressive multiple sclerosis.
| 2. What should I know before I use Ocrevus? |
Warnings
Do not use Ocrevus if:
- you are allergic to ocrelizumab, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
- Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Check with your doctor if you:
- have any signs and symptoms of infection. You should not have your infusion until the infection is resolved.
- have ever had hepatitis B or are a carrier of the hepatitis B virus. Before you start using Ocrevus, your doctor will check if you have or are at risk of having hepatitis B infection to decide if you can use Ocrevus and if they may need to monitor you during your treatment with Ocrevus.
- have, or have ever had, cancer. Some type of medicines that work on the immune system may increase the risk of some cancers.
- intend to have or have had immunisation with any vaccine. Some types of vaccines (called 'live' or 'live-attenuated') should not be given at the same time as Ocrevus and in the months after you receive Ocrevus. Your doctor will check if you should have any vaccines before you receive Ocrevus. Ocrevus may affect your normal response to a vaccine.
- are allergic to any other medicines or substances.
- have any other medical conditions.
- take any medicines for any other condition.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
You should avoid becoming pregnant. If you are able to become pregnant, you should use effective contraceptive methods during treatment with Ocrevus and for at least 6 months after your last infusion of Ocrevus.
Breastfeeding
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
You should avoid breastfeeding while you are using Ocrevus.
Children and Adolescents
It is not known whether Ocrevus is safe or effective in children and adolescents under 18 years of age, because it has not yet been studied in this age group.
| 3. What if I am taking other medicines? |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Ocrevus may affect how some medicines work:
- vaccines. Speak to your doctor before you receive any vaccines. You should not have some types of vaccines (called 'live' or 'live-attenuated') while receiving Ocrevus and for several months after until your doctor advises that you can.
These medicines increase your risk of side effects with Ocrevus:
- other treatments (including those for MS, or to treat other conditions) which could affect your immune system and so could affect your ability to fight infections. If you have used another MS treatment in the past, your doctor may ask you to stop the other medicine in advance of starting treatment with Ocrevus.
- medicines that lower blood pressure. Ocrevus may lower your blood pressure. Your doctor may ask you to temporarily stop taking your blood pressure medicine before each infusion.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect Ocrevus.
| 4. How do I use Ocrevus? |
How much to use
Ocrevus must be prepared by a healthcare professional and will be given in a hospital or clinic. You will have Ocrevus as an intravenous (IV) infusion. It will go slowly into your vein. This will be done by your doctor or nurse.
Before you receive Ocrevus, your doctor or nurse will give you other medicines to help reduce possible side effects such as infusion-related reactions.
- The dose is 600 mg every 6 months.
- Your first 600 mg will be given as 2 separate intravenous infusions (300 mg each), given 2 weeks apart by a doctor or nurse. Each infusion will take about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Your next 600 mg doses of Ocrevus will be given as a single intravenous infusion every 6 months. These infusions will take either about 2 hours or 3 hours and 30 minutes depending on the infusion rate prescribed by your doctor.
- Your doctor or nurse will closely monitor you during each infusion and may adjust your infusion rate depending on how well each dose is tolerated.
- Follow the instructions provided and use Ocrevus until your doctor tells you to stop.
If you miss your infusion
If you forget or miss your appointment for your infusion, do not wait until the next planned infusion but make another appointment as soon as possible. Your doctor may need to change the timing of your later infusions.
If you use too much Ocrevus
Your dose of Ocrevus is given to you by infusion under the supervision of a doctor or nurse. However, if you think that you have received too much Ocrevus, you may need urgent medical care.
You should immediately:
- phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26), or
- contact your doctor, or
- go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
| 5. What should I know while using Ocrevus? |
Things you should do
- Tell your partner or caregiver 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.
- If you plan to become pregnant or you become pregnant during treatment with Ocrevus, tell the doctor right away. Tell your baby's doctor about your treatment with Ocrevus so that they can consider this in the timing of your baby's vaccinations.
- Tell your doctor if you have any signs and symptoms of infection even if it has been some time (e.g. several weeks or months) since your last infusion. Your doctor may need to do a blood test to check your white blood cell levels.
- Tell your doctor if you have any new medical conditions or plan to take any new medicines for any other condition.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
- have any signs or symptoms of infusion related reactions or allergic reactions.
- think your multiple sclerosis is getting worse or if you or your partner or caregiver notice any new or unusual symptoms such as changes in movement or behaviour. There have been very rare reports of serious brain infection, called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) which can cause severe disability or be life-threatening. Symptoms of PML can be similar to those of MS.
Remind any doctor, nurse, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Ocrevus.
Things you should not do
- Do not stop using this medicine without talking to your doctor first.
- Do not take any other medicines, whether they require a prescription or not without first telling your doctor or consulting with a pharmacist.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Ocrevus affects you.
It is not known whether Ocrevus can affect you being able to drive or use any tools or machines.
Looking after your medicine
- Refrigerate, do not freeze. Store between 2°C and 8°C. Do not shake it.
- Keep the vial in the carton to protect it from light.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
| 6. Are there any side effects? |
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
| Less serious side effects | What to do |
Infections such as:
| Tell your doctor or nurse straight away if you have any of these serious side effects, even if it has been sometime since your last infusion. These side effects can sometimes be serious. If you experience signs and symptoms of infection, your doctor may need to do a blood test to check your white blood cell levels even if it has been some time (e.g. several weeks or months) since your last infusion. |
Serious side effects
| Serious side effects | What to do |
| Infusion related reactions or allergic reactions: Infusion related reactions can happen during the infusion and within 24 hours after the infusion. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to:
| During your infusion, tell your doctor or nurse straight away if you experience signs and symptoms of infusion related reactions. After your infusion, call your doctor straight away or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these side effects. These may be serious side effects. Tell to your doctor straight away if you have any of these side effects, even if it has been sometime since your last infusion. |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.
| 7. Product details |
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What Ocrevus contains
| Active ingredient (main ingredient) | Each vial of Ocrevus contains 300 mg of ocrelizumab |
| Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) | sodium acetate trihydrate trehalose dehydrate acetic acid - glacial polysorbate 20 water for injections |
| Potential allergens | None |
Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What Ocrevus looks like
Ocrevus is registered on the ARTG as AUST R 275778.
Ocrevus is supplied as a single-dose glass vial containing 10 mL of solution for intravenous infusion (30 mg/mL). Ocrevus is diluted before infusion into a vein.
Ocrevus is a clear or slightly opalescent, and colourless to pale brown liquid.
Who distributes Ocrevus
Ocrevus is supplied in Australia by:
Roche Products Pty Limited
ABN 70 000 132 865
Level 8, 30-34 Hickson Road
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
Website: www.roche-australia.com or www.medinfo.roche.com accessible by scanning the below QR code:
This leaflet is for people in Australia only. If you are not in Australia, you can contact Roche/Genentech in your country at www.medinfo.roche.com.
This leaflet was prepared in December 2021.
Published by MIMS March 2022