Ocrevus side effects: What are 5 key side effects to watch for?

Common Ocrevus side effects are skin infections, infusion reactions, sore throat, blocked nose, fever, and sneezing which are symptoms of a cold or an upper respiratory tract infection. Common side effects happen most frequently, but are not necessarily serious.

Ocrevus can cause serious side effects such as infections (respiratory tract infection, urinary infections, hepatitis B (reactivation), PML (a rare brain infection), infusion reactions, inflammation of the colon (colitis) infection), increased risk of cancer, hepatitis B reactivation, PML (a rare brain infection). It is important to watch for side effect symptoms that may be related to serious side effects.

Ocrevus side effect - Infusion reactions #1

Ocrevus may cause an infusion reaction as a side effect. Infusion reaction Ocrevus side effects may include of rash, headache, nausea, itchy skin, trouble breathing, coughing or wheezing, shortness of breath, throat irritation or pain, fatigue, hives, feeling faint, swelling of the throat, fast heartbeat, tiredness, fever, dizziness, or redness on your face (flushing).

What is an infusion reaction?

An infusion reaction is an Ocrevus side effect that happens when your immune system reacts to your infusion. Infusion reactions can be serious and may require hospitalization.

Prevent and treatment of infusion reactions

To prevent infusion reactions, you will be given methylprednisolone (or an equivalent corticosteroid) and an antihistamine like diphenhydramine before your infusion.

Your healthcare provider will monitor you during and after your Ocrevus infusion for any symptoms of an infusion reaction. Ocrevus infusion is administered under the close supervision of an experienced healthcare professional with access to appropriate medical support to manage any severe serious infusion reactions.

If there are signs of a life-threatening or disabling infusion reaction your infusion will Immediately be stopped and Ocrevus will be permanently discontinued.

If you have a mild to moderate infusion reaction, your infusion rate will slow and maintain the slower rate for at least 30 minutes.

Ocrevus side effect - Infections #2

Ocrevus side effects may include infection, symptoms to watch include:

• diarrhea or more frequent bowel movements than usual, or black, tarry, sticky or bloody stools, or stomach pain or tenderness;
• fast heart beats, tiredness;
• headache, nausea, dizziness;
• itchy skin, rash, hives;
• fever, chills, cough;
• throat pain or irritation;
• wheezing, breathing problem, feeling short of breath;
• flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
• skin sores, blisters, pus, or oozing;
• cold sores or fever blisters on or around your lips;
• nerve pain (tingling, burning pain, "pins and needles" feeling);
• mood or behavior changes, confusion, memory problems;
• weakness on one side of your body; or
• problems with speech, vision, or muscle movement.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have an infection or have any of the above signs of infection, so your healthcare can monitor you and treat any infection if necessary.

What infections does Ocrevus increase the risk of?

Ocrevus may increase the risk of life-threatening or fatal, bacterial, viral, parasitic and fungal infections.These serious infections may result in severe respiratory tract infections, herpes simplex (encephalitis and meningitis), hepatitis B virus (HBV), urinary tract infections, colitis, and more conditions.

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Management of infection side effect

Before starting treatment, you will be screened for hepatitis B virus; you are not able to have Ocrevus infusions if specific tests are positive.

Before every infusion, you will be checked for any type of infection. If you have an active infection, your infusion will be delayed until the infection has resolved.

If you have any infection side effect symptoms from the list above contact your healthcare provider immediately, so your healthcare can monitor you and treat any infection if necessary.

Ocrevus side effect - Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) #3

PML Ocrevus side effects to watch for include problems with:

• thinking
• balance
• eyesight
• weakness on 1 side of your body
• muscle strength
• using your arms or legs

What is Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)?

PML is a rare viral brain infection that may lead to death or severe disability. Symptoms of PML are worsening neurologic signs or symptoms listed above and they get worse over days to weeks. It is important that you call your healthcare provider immediately if you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above that have lasted several days.

PML side effect management

Your healthcare provider will manage you if they suspect you have PML; if it is confirmed, then Ocrevus will be discontinued.

Ocrevus side effect - Cancer #4

A side effect of Ocrevus may be an increased risk of cancer, including breast cancer. Symptoms of breast cancer may include:

• a change in the size or the shape of the breast
• a lump in the breast or underarm (armpit), that is new
• Swelling, thickening or irritation of part of the breast
• dimpling of breast skin
• pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area
• redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
• discharge from the nipple (except breast milk), including blood.
• pain in any area of the breast.

Breast cancer symptoms can be different for each person, and some people do not have any signs or symptoms at all.

Management of breast cancer risk

Patients should follow standard breast cancer screening guidelines.

Ocrevus side effect - Colitis #5

Ocrevus colitis side effects to watch for include:

• 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

What is Colitis?

Ocrevus can cause the side effect of immune-mediated colitis, which is colon inflammation and causes the symptoms listed above.

Management of colitis side effects

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the symptoms of colitis listed above so they can monitor you and treat you if necessary.

Comment

This is not all the side effects of Ocrevus and other side effects may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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