Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) is a long-term treatment for multiple sclerosis, and some people can take it safely for more than 10 years. Factors that may affect how long you can stay on Ocrevus include your specific diagnosis and side effects.
Ocrevus is a brand-name drug prescribed to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and clinically isolated syndrome (an episode of MS-like symptoms that may occur before MS develops).
Keep reading to learn about the long-term effectiveness and safety profile of Ocrevus.
Ocrevus is meant to be a long-term treatment for relapsing MS, including relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS). You should be able to take Ocrevus long term if you and your doctor determine that the medication is working to treat your condition.
In the drug’s initial clinical trials, participants with RRMS received Ocrevus by intravenous (IV) infusion every 6 months for about 2 years. Ocrevus reduced MS relapses (symptom flares) after 12 weeks of treatment. For participants with PPMS, Ocrevus delayed the progression (worsening) of MS disability.
Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved Ocrevus in 2017, there is now more than 10 years of Ocrevus clinical trial data. (Participants began receiving the drug in these trials before its 2017 approval.)
A 2024 study* presented the results from 10 years of Ocrevus use in more than 6,000 participants. Of people with RRMS who received Ocrevus continuously for 10 years, three-quarters (almost 77%) remained free from disability progression. Most people (nearly 92%) could walk without using a mobility aid such as a cane or walker.
Of participants with PPMS, 36% were free from disability progression and most (about 80%) didn’t need a wheelchair.
The effectiveness of Ocrevus will vary depending on certain factors, including the severity of your MS. Your doctor can advise you on how well Ocrevus may work for you and how long you can take it.
* The study’s lead author declared a non-compensated relationship as a Clinical Trial/Primary Investigator with Roche. (Ocrevus is manufactured by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.)
How long you can take Ocrevus will also depend on any side effects you experience. Ocrevus can cause mild and serious side effects.
The 10-year safety profile for Ocrevus is similar to the profile from its initial studies. In other words, long-term Ocrevus use does not further increase the risk of serious side effects.
The most common side effects of Ocrevus are infusion reactions and infections, including upper respiratory infections, skin infections, and herpes infections.
Serious and even life threatening side effects during Ocrevus treatment are possible but rare. Serious side effects reported with Ocrevus include:
If you have questions about your risk of side effects from Ocrevus treatment, talk with your doctor. To learn how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.
No deaths were reported in clinical trials, but some people who were taking Ocrevus have died since the drug was approved. For example, in one small study, 4 of 355 participants died after starting Ocrevus. It’s not clear whether the drug or another factor was the cause of death.
That said, no more deaths occurred among people with MS who received ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) long term than among those who did not receive the drug.
Most side effects of Ocrevus are mild and may go away after a few days or weeks. If you have side effects that don’t go away, contact your doctor. They can determine whether it’s safe for you to continue Ocrevus treatment or whether a different medication may be a better option for you. They can also recommend treatments for side effects.
PML can cause symptoms similar to those of MS, including memory problems, difficulty thinking, problems with balance and walking, and vision changes. Be sure to tell your doctor right away if you experience new or worsening symptoms during Ocrevus treatment. If you have PML, your doctor will stop your Ocrevus treatment and treat the infection.
For more information about side effects and tips for managing them, you can refer to our Ocrevus side effects article.
Ocrevus is a long-term treatment for MS. If you and your doctor determine that the drug is working to treat your condition and is causing only mild or manageable side effects, you can continue Ocrevus treatment long term.
Extended studies involving several thousand participants suggest that Ocrevus treatment lasting 10 years or more is safe and effective for relapsing MS.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.
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