Key takeaways
- Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) is a long-term treatment for certain forms of multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndrome.
- Some people can safely take the drug for more than 10 years.
- Certain factors may affect how long you can stay on Ocrevus. These can include your diagnosis and side effects you experience from the drug.
Ocrevus is a prescription drug used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). (CIS is an episode of MS-like symptoms that may occur before MS develops.) Relapsing forms of MS include relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS).
Learn more about the long-term effectiveness of Ocrevus and what happens if you stop the drug.
Ocrevus is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term. The effectiveness of Ocrevus may vary depending on certain factors, including the severity of your MS.
In Ocrevus’ studies, people with RRMS received Ocrevus by IV infusion every 6 months for about 2 years. In studies, Ocrevus reduced symptom flares, or relapses, of MS after 12 weeks of treatment, and for people with PPMS it delayed the worsening of MS.
A 2024 study looked at the results from 10 years of Ocrevus use in more than 6,000 participants. Of people who received Ocrevus for RRMS, almost 77% remained free from worsening of their condition. Almost 92% of people could walk without using a mobility aid, such as a walker or cane.
For people in the study with PPMS, the results showed that 36% were free from worsening of their condition about 80% didn’t need to use a wheelchair.
Also, in the 2024 study, the side effect profile of Ocrevus was similar to that seen in the drug’s initial studies. So, receiving Ocrevus long-term does not increase the risk of serious side effects.
Note: The 2024 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.)
There may be some cases where your doctor recommends stopping treatment with Ocrevus. They may do this because the drug is not working for you anymore or you could be experience side effects that are bothersome and don’t allow you to tolerate the drug.
If this is the case, your doctor will determine what drug would be the next option for you. Other options for treating relapsing MS and CIS include ofatumumab (Kesimpta) and ublituximab-xiiy (Briumvi). Talk with your doctor to see which option is best for you. Together, you can discuss the benefits and risk of each treatment.
Ocrevus is an IV infusion that is used to treat relapsing forms of MS and CIS. It is meant to be a long-term treatment for these conditions.
If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for MS or CIS, you’ll likely continue to use it long term. If Ocrevus is not working for you, your doctor may recommend a different drug to help treat your condition.
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.