Briumvi (ublituximab-xiiy) and Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) are prescription drugs used to treat certain types of multiple sclerosis (MS). Both drugs are given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional.
This article explains the main ways that Briumvi and Ocrevus are alike and different. For more information about these drugs, including details about their uses, see this Briumvi article and this Ocrevus article.
See the following list to find out whether Briumvi or Ocrevus is available as a biosimilar. (Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.)
- Briumvi:
- Available as a biosimilar: No
- Active ingredient: ublituximab-xiiy
- Ocrevus:
- Available as a biosimilar: No
- Active ingredient: ocrelizumab
Note: The reason “-xiiy” appears at the end of Brimumvi’s active ingredient name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.
See the following table for details on the conditions each drug treats.
To learn more about using Briumvi or Ocrevus to treat your condition, talk with your doctor.
Note: With clinically isolated syndrome, you experience a single episode of multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. It’s often, although not always, the first sign of MS.
Here’s an overview of the dosage and how you’ll receive Briumvi and Ocrevus for the conditions they both treat.
Ocrevus is also used to treat primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), but this use isn’t addressed in the following section. To learn more about the dosages for all conditions these drugs treat, see this Briumvi overview article and this Ocrevus dosage article.
Dosage for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS)
Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that both Ocrevus and Briumvi treat include: clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), and active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). See the following table for dosage details expressed in milligrams per milliliters (mg/mL).
| Briumvi for relapsing forms of MS | Ocrevus for relapsing forms of MS | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Liquid solution for intravenous (IV) infusion inside a single-dose vial | Liquid solution for intravenous (IV) infusion inside a single-dose vial |
| Strength | 150 mg per 6 mL of solution (25 mg/mL) | 300 mg per 10 mL of solution (30 mg/mL) |
| Dose | The dose depends on the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor | The dose depends on the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor |
| How often to receive | Every 2 weeks, for your first two doses, then one dose every 6 months | Every 2 weeks, for your first two doses, then one dose every 6 months |
Both Briumvi and Ocrevus are given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional. You’ll receive your infusions at your doctor’s office, an infusion clinic, or a similar healthcare setting.
Prior to each infusion for either Briumvi or Ocrevus, your doctor will give you premedications to lower your risk of side effects from the infusion. And they may want to monitor you at the site for side effects after your infusion. Ask your doctor if you’d like to learn more about premedications or post-infusion monitoring for Briumvi or Ocrevus.
Note: Ocrevus is also available as Ocrevus Zunovo, which is given as a subcutaneous injection. Ask your doctor if you’d like to learn more about Ocrevus Zunovo.
Briumvi and Ocrevus may cause side effects ranging from mild to serious.
For more information about possible side effects, see this Briumvi overview article and this Ocrevus side effects article.
Mild side effects
Briumvi and Ocrevus may cause mild side effects. The following table lists examples of mild side effects that have been reported with these drugs.
| Briumvi | Ocrevus | |
|---|---|---|
| respiratory tract infection, such as the common cold | ✓ | ✓ |
| mild infusion reaction, such as fever, chills, or headache after the infusion | ✓ | ✓ |
| back pain | ✓ | |
| pain in the arms or legs | ✓ | ✓ |
| diarrhea | ✓ | |
| cough | ✓ | |
| herpes simplex virus infection, such as cold sores | ✓ | ✓ |
| fatigue | ✓ | |
| insomnia | ✓ | |
| fluid retention (swelling) in the arms or legs | ✓ |
This table may not include all mild side effects of these drugs. For more information on mild side effects of the two drugs, see the Briumvi prescribing information and Ocrevus prescribing information.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects may also occur in people using Briumvi or Ocrevus. See the following table for a list of side effects that have been reported with these drugs.
| Briumvi | Ocrevus | |
|---|---|---|
| serious infusion reactions, such as difficulty breathing | ✓ | ✓ |
| increased risk of serious infection, such as pneumonia | ✓ | ✓ |
| progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a serious viral infection | ✓ | ✓ |
| increased risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer | ✓ | |
| immune-mediated colitis (inflammation in your colon) | ✓ | |
| low blood immunoglobulin (a type of protein) level, which can raise your risk of infection | ✓ | ✓ |
| hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, in people who already have HBV | ✓ | ✓ |
To learn about your specific risk of serious side effects from Briumvi or Ocrevus, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
ALLERGIC REACTIONFor some people, Briumvi or Ocrevus can cause an allergic reaction.
In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep receiving Briumvi.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Briumvi, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
You may wonder whether Briumvi or Ocrevus are effective for your condition.
Briumvi and Ocrevus are both used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Studies of Briumvi and studies of Ocrevus have shown that both drugs are effective for this use.
In addition, the American Academy of Neurology includes Ocrevus in its treatment recommendations for multiple sclerosis (MS). (These guidelines were last updated in 2018 before Briumvi was approved for use.)
It’s important to note that your results from Briumvi or Ocrevus may differ from those seen in studies. Talk with your doctor about whether one of these drugs is right for you.
Keep in mind that what you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your treatment plan and health insurance. It may also depend on the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to receive doses of Briumvi or Ocrevus.”
Briumvi and Ocrevus are both brand-name biologics. Neither medication is available as a biosimilar.
Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But biosimilars are made for biologic drugs, whereas generics are made for nonbiologic drugs. A biologic drug is made using living cells, while other drugs are made using chemicals. Biologics cannot be copied exactly. Drugs made from chemicals can have generics, which are exact copies of the active drug in the brand-name medication. Like generics, biosimilars are often less expensive compared with brand-name medications.
For other resources that might help you save on the price of these drugs, see the Ocrevus cost article and this Briumvi overview article.
Briumvi and Ocrevus may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These may be referred to as warnings.
The two drugs share some of the same warnings, but they also have different ones. Some of these warnings are mentioned here. Before you start using Briumvi or Ocrevus, be sure to talk with your doctor to see if these warnings apply to you.
Warnings
Before using Briumvi or Ocrevus, talk with your doctor if any of the following conditions or health factors apply to you.
- Warnings for Ocrevus:
- if you’ve inflammatory bowel disease or colitis
- Warnings for both Briumvi and Ocrevus:
- if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients
- if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
- if you have hepatitis B or have ever been exposed to the hepatitis B virus (HBV)
- if you have an active infection
- if you have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccination
- if you take other medications that affect your immune system
To learn more about these drugs, see this Briumvi article and this Ocrevus article.
The short answer: It’s possible.
Details: Briumvi and Ocrevus are both considered disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) endorse switching from one DMT to another in certain situations. This includes if you experience bothersome or serious side effects, or if your MS symptoms worsen during treatment.
If you and your doctor agree you’ll switch from Briumvi to Ocrevus or vice versa, your doctor will give you specific instructions on how this will be done. For example, they can tell you how long you should wait after your most recent infusion before starting treatment with the new medication.
Reminder: You shouldn’t switch drugs or stop your current treatment unless your doctor recommends it.
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.