My story basically talks about how I went
a number of years with a lot of questions, because well it took a long time for me
to actually get diagnosed. I explain the uncertainty and the questions I had leading
up to my diagnosis. Well then I talk a little bit about how things changed after diagnosis,
and the fact that I had a couple of different medications that I bounced through before I
got to OCREVUS. And then I talk about life since OCREVUS. I also talk a little bit about
the infusions
, how I handled the infusions, and things that I’d do during the infusion to pass
the time. I think that being open and honest about some of the struggles that I’ve had and some of
the daily things that I faced, opens that element of trust for people. And I think that is one of
the key things that I enjoy being able to help with when it comes to these events. Anything I can
do to give back or give out, to help people learn, to help people find resources, anything of
that nature. My viewpoin
t has always been, if I’m lifting other people up, I’m going to a
higher place. I get great benefit from being there to encourage others, and I get great enjoyment
out of being part of just helping encourage and lift other people up. Trust is power. When
people see another person sharing their truth and what they’ve gone through, it builds
that level of trust. And I think an important part of these programs is having a patient
ambassador there to be that message of trust. What is OCREVUS?
O
CREVUS 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 react
ion 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 i
f 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:
OCREVUS increases your risk of getting upper respiratory tract infections, lower
respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and herpes infections. Infections are a common side
effect, which can be serious. Tell your healthcare provider if you have an infection or have any of
the following signs
of infection including fever, chills, or a cough that does not go away.
Signs of herpes 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 healthca
re 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 re
ceiving 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 OCREV
US,
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 OCR
EVUS. Talk with
your healthcare provider about what birth control method is right for you during this time.
Pregnancy Registry. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take OCREVUS during pregnancy.
If you become pregnant while receiving OCREVUS, tell your healthcare provider right away. Talk
to your healthcare provider about registering with the OCREVUS Pregnancy Registry. The
purpose of this registry is to collect information about your health and your baby’s
health. Your healthcare p
rovider can enroll you in this registry by calling 1-833-872-4370
or visiting www.ocrevuspregnancyregistry.com. 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 OCR
EVUS?
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 t
enderness 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. For additional safety information, please see the
full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Comments