Doctors prescribe Briumvi (ublituximab-xiiy) for certain forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). You’ll receive infusions (into your vein) over a period of months. Before each infusion, you’ll receive other medications to help lessen infusion reactions.
Briumvi (ublituximab-xiiy) is used in adults to treat relapsing (recurring) forms of MS, including those that often relapse or worsen. These include:
- clinically isolated syndrome (which may or may not lead to MS)
- relapsing-remitting MS
- active secondary progressive MS
The drug comes as a solution for injection.
The active ingredient in Briumvi is ublituximab-xiiy. Briumvi belongs to a group of drugs called CD20-directed cytolytic antibodies. Briumvi is not chemotherapy.
This article describes the dosage of Briumvi, as well as its strength and how to receive it. To learn more about Briumvi, including its side effects and uses, read this in-depth Briumvi article.
Your doctor will prescribe Briumvi as a series of infusions that you receive over a period of months.
Before you start treatment with Briumvi, your doctor will:
- Screen for hepatitis B (HBV): Depending on the results of your screening, they may not recommend Briumvi treatment for you. Or they may consult a hepatologist (doctor knowledgeable about the liver) before and during treatment with Briumvi.
- Test for quantitative serum immunoglobulins: This blood test determines the antibody levels in your blood and checks how well your immune system is working. Depending on the test results, they may consult an immunologist (doctor knowledgeable about the immune system) before your treatment begins.
- Discuss vaccinations: You may need to receive certain vaccines 4 weeks or more before starting treatment with Briumvi. For others, you may need to receive them 2 weeks or more before starting treatment with Briumvi.
The following table highlights the basics of Briumvi’s dosage. All doses are listed in milligrams (mg).
| Schedule | Infusion | Dose |
|---|---|---|
| week 0/start | first infusion | 150 mg |
| week 2 | second infusion | 450 mg |
| week 24 and then every 24 weeks after | third and later infusions | 450 mg |
Before each infusion, you’ll receive other medications to help lessen any reaction you might have with Briumvi.
Briumvi form
Briumvi is available as a liquid solution. A healthcare professional gives you the solution by injection into a vein (called an intravenous or IV infusion).
Briumvi strength
Briumvi comes in one strength of 150 mg/6 mL, which is equivalent to 25 mg/mL.
Briumvi is approved to treat relapsing (recurring) forms of MS, including those that often relapse or worsen. These include:
Before each infusion, your doctor will determine whether you have an active infection. If you have an infection, they may delay the infusion until the infection is gone.
Your doctor also might recommend a pregnancy test prior to each infusion.
Before each infusion, you’ll receive other medications to help lessen any reaction you might have with Briumvi. One is a corticosteroid, and the other is an antihistamine (such as diphenhydramine or Benadryl). You also might receive an antipyretic (such as acetaminophen or Tylenol).
The following table shows the typical Briumvi dosage and the infusion time (length of time to complete an infusion). Each infusion releases a specific amount of a dose over a period of time. This amount increases as the infusion continues until you’ve received the full dose.
| Schedule | Infusion | Dose | Infusion time |
|---|---|---|---|
| week 0/start | first infusion | 150 mg | 4 hours |
| week 2 | second infusion | 450 mg | 1 hour |
| week 24 and then every 24 weeks after | third and later infusions | 450 mg | 1 hour |
A healthcare professional will monitor you during your first two infusions for side effects and other symptoms. They’ll also monitor you for a period of time after these infusions. This may continue with other infusions as well if your doctor recommends it.
If you have a reaction with any Briumvi infusion, your doctor may adjust your dose or interrupt the infusion. In some cases, they may recommend stopping the infusion or stopping treatment with Briumvi altogether.
Briumvi is given by a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional. You will typically receive Briumvi in a clinical setting, such as a hospital or care center.
Before each infusion, you’ll receive other medications to help lessen any reaction you might have to Briumvi. One is a corticosteroid, and the other is an antihistamine (such as diphenhydramine or Benadryl). You also might receive an antipyretic (such as acetaminophen or Tylenol). You’ll usually receive these 30 to 60 minutes before your infusion starts.
A healthcare professional will give you the infusions by injection into your vein. They will insert a thin plastic tube (called an IV catheter) into your vein. The medication goes into your body through this catheter over a period of time. For example, you’ll receive a specific amount of your dose over a period of time. Then that amount will increase as the infusion continues until you’ve received the entire dose.
A healthcare professional will monitor you during your first two infusions for side effects and other symptoms. They’ll also monitor you for a period of time after these infusions. They may continue to monitor you with other infusions as well if your doctor thinks it is necessary to do so.
How long do you take Briumvi?
Briumvi is usually a long-term treatment. You and your doctor can discuss whether it’s safe and effective for your condition. If you agree that it is, you’ll likely receive it long term. See the dosage table in the “Briumvi dosage for certain forms of MS” section, which describes how many weeks apart you’ll receive infusions.
Are Briumvi and Ocrevus similar, and are their dosages the same?
Both Briumvi and Ocrevus are approved to treat the same forms of MS. But Ocrevus is also approved to treat primary progressive MS. The drugs have other similarities and differences.
The active ingredient in Briumvi is ublituximab-xiiy. The active ingredient in Ocrevus is ocrelizumab. You receive both drugs by infusion.
Briumvi and Ocrevus require the same screening tests before you start treatment. With both drugs, you may need to receive certain vaccines a specific number of weeks before starting treatment. With Briumvi, your doctor might recommend a pregnancy test prior to each infusion. Before each infusion of Briumvi and Ocrevus, your doctor will determine whether you have an active infection. If so, they may delay your infusion until the infection is gone. With both drugs, you receive other medications before each infusion to help lessen any reaction you might have to the drug.
Briumvi starts with two infusions: 150 mg for the first and 450 mg for the second, given 2 weeks apart. The third infusion is 450 mg, given 24 weeks after the first infusion. Later infusions are also 450 mg every 24 weeks. Ocrevus also starts with two infusions: 300 mg each for the first and second doses, given 2 weeks apart. The third infusion of Ocrevus is 300 mg, given 6 months after the second infusion. Later infusions are also 300 mg every 6 months.
Each Briumvi infusion takes place at a hospital or care clinic over a period of time. The infusion time for your first dose is usually 4 hours. The infusion time for each remaining dose is usually 1 hour. Similarly, each Ocrevus infusion takes place at a hospital or care clinic. The infusion time for your first dose of Ocrevus is usually 2.5 hours. The infusion time for each remaining dose is usually 2 to 3.5 hours.
What should I do if I miss an infusion appointment?
If you miss your appointment for an infusion, talk with your doctor’s office right away. You’ll need to receive the missed infusion as soon as possible.
Once you receive the missed infusion, your infusion schedule resets. This means your next infusion needs to occur 24 weeks from the date you receive the missed infusion.
Disclaimer: Healthline 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.