Ocrevus is a brand-name prescription medication that contains the active drug ocrelizumab. It belongs to a class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies. Ocrevus is a biologic drug, and it’s not available in a biosimilar form.*
This medication has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults to treat:
- primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS)
- relapsing-remitting MS
- active secondary progressive MS
- clinically isolated syndrome
In this article, you’ll find additional information about Ocrevus’s dosage and details on how to take the drug. For a comprehensive overview of Ocrevus, view this article.
* A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug).
Finding a healthcare professional
If you’re interested in taking Ocrevus, search here to find a doctor who might prescribe it.
This article describes typical recommended dosages for Ocrevus. These dosages are provided by the drug’s manufacturer.
Your doctor will prescribe the dosage of Ocrevus that’s best for you.
Commonly recommended dosages for Ocrevus are shown below. However, your doctor will prescribe the Ocrevus dosage that’s right for you.
Ocrevus’s form and strength
Ocrevus comes as a solution for IV infusion. A vial contains 300 milligrams (mg) of Ocrevus per 10 milliliters (mL) of solution.
A healthcare professional will take the vial and make an infusion. Then, they will administer it to you through a vein.
Typical recommended dosage
Usually, doctors will prescribe a low dosage of Ocrevus at the start of treatment. Then, they’ll increase the dosage over time.
Ocrevus dosage for multiple sclerosis (MS) and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)
Below is an overview of Ocrevus’s recommended dosing frequency and dosing schedule for MS and CIS.
- Starting infusion dosage: 300-mg infusion that you’ll get over 2.5 hours or longer. You’ll receive another 300-mg infusion 2 weeks later.
- Maintenance infusion dosage: 600-mg infusion that you’ll get over 3.5 hours or longer. You’ll receive a 600-mg infusion every 6 months. Maintenance infusions may be infused over 2 hours or longer if you haven’t had any serious infusion reactions with prior Ocrevus infusions.
This dosing schedule means you’ll receive three infusions during the first year of treatment. The first two infusions will be 2 weeks apart. The third infusion will be 6 months later. From then on, you’ll need only two infusions each year, spaced 6 months apart.
Length of treatment
Doctors typically prescribe Ocrevus as a long-term treatment. You’ll likely take it long term if you and your doctor feel it’s safe and effective for your condition.
Below are some common questions related to Ocrevus’s dosage.
Is there a certain cost per dose for Ocrevus?
Yes, there is a cost for each dose of Ocrevus you receive. This cost can vary depending on your location and the healthcare practice that administers your IV infusion. It’ll also vary with the type of medical insurance coverage you have.
If you have questions or concerns about the cost of Ocrevus, contact your health insurance company or talk with your doctor. If you don’t have insurance or can’t afford your copay, the drug’s manufacturer may be able to help. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you more information.
For information about Ocrevus’s cost and ways to save on your prescription, read this article.
Are doses of Ocrevus given at home or at a healthcare facility?
You can get an Ocrevus IV infusion at an infusion center, in your doctor’s office, or at home. Talk with your doctor about these options. Together, you can decide which option is best for you.
If you miss an appointment for your Ocrevus dose, call your doctor or infusion center as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule for you. To review the recommended dosages, see the “Ocrevus: Dosage” section above.
Your doctor will consider certain factors when prescribing the dosage for Ocrevus. These factors include:
- whether you have active hepatitis B
- whether you have had an infusion reaction to previous doses of Ocrevus
Recommended adjustments in dosage
Your doctor may slow the rate of your IV infusion or stop it for a period if you have an infusion reaction.
Symptoms of an infusion reaction can include:
- breathing problems
- flu-like symptoms, such as:
- fever
- chills
- body aches
- itching
- nausea
- rash
To learn more about infusion reactions and other possible side effects, view this article.
Ocrevus comes as a solution for IV infusion. You’ll receive it in an infusion center, at a doctor’s office, or at home. A healthcare professional will administer the infusion.
A single infusion of Ocrevus takes 2 hours to 3.5 hours or longer. For more information, refer to the “Ocrevus: Dosage” section above.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for additional information about Ocrevus’s dosage. Keep in mind that the dosages presented in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. For details, view the “Ocrevus: Dosage” section above.
In addition to discussing Ocrevus with your doctor, you may find the following articles helpful in learning more.
- Overview of Ocrevus. For comprehensive details on Ocrevus, see this article.
- Drug comparisons. To learn how Ocrevus compares with Lemtrada, read this article. For information on how Ocrevus compares with Rituxan, see this article.
- Information on side effects. If you’d like to know about possible side effects of Ocrevus, view this article.
- Cost and savings options. For information about Ocrevus’s cost and ways to save on your prescription, read this article.
- Details about multiple sclerosis (MS) and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). To learn more about MS and CIS, which Ocrevus is used to treat, see these articles on:
Disclaimer: Healthgrades has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
