If you have multiple sclerosis (MS), your doctor might suggest Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) as a treatment option. As a result, you could be looking for more information about the drug, such as details about dosage.

Ocrevus is a prescription medication that’s used to treat the following conditions in adults:

Ocrevus is a biologic drug. (Biologics are made from parts of living organisms.) It belongs to a group of drugs called monoclonal antibodies.

This article describes the dosages of Ocrevus, including its form, strength, and how the drug is given. To learn more about Ocrevus, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Ocrevus’s typical dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But your doctor will prescribe the Ocrevus dosage that’s right for you.

Before starting Ocrevus treatment, your doctor will give you dosage and administration information for the drug. This includes its dosing frequency (how often you receive the drug).

A healthcare professional will administer the drug as an intravenous infusion. (This is an injection into a vein that’s given over time.) They’ll monitor you closely for side effects while you receive your Ocrevus infusion.

You’ll likely receive your dose of Ocrevus at a doctor’s office or an infusion center. But depending on your insurance provider, you may be able to receive your Ocrevus infusion at home.

What is Ocrevus’s form?

Ocrevus comes as a clear liquid solution in a single-use vial for injection.

What strength does Ocrevus come in?

Ocrevus comes in only one strength: 300 milligrams (mg) per 10 milliliters (mL) of solution.

What are the typical dosages of Ocrevus?

The information below describes Ocrevus dosages that are commonly used or recommended. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Before starting treatment with Ocrevus, your doctor will explain your dosing schedule.

The initial dose of Ocrevus will be 300 mg, given over 2.5 hours or more. This will be followed by another 300-mg dose 2 weeks later. These first doses of Ocrevus are lower than what you’ll eventually receive, so that your doctor can see how you do with the treatment.

If you do well with the first two infusions of Ocrevus, your dose will be increased to 600 mg. You’ll receive this higher dose every 6 months, and the infusion may take 2 to 3.5 hours or longer. If you experienced an infusion-related reaction with your first doses, your infusion time may be longer than 3.5 hours.

Before your Ocrevus infusion, you may be given an antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), and a steroid, such as Medrol (methylprednisolone). These medications help lower your risk of an infusion-related reaction with Ocrevus.

If you have a reaction while receiving Ocrevus, the healthcare professional giving you the infusion may stop it and monitor you. Depending on how you respond, they may restart the infusion or stop Ocrevus treatment.

Is Ocrevus used long term?

Yes, Ocrevus is used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Ocrevus is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

Your dosage may be affected by whether you had an infusion-related reaction when you started Ocrevus treatment. Specifically, your Ocrevus infusion may take a longer period of time. A slower infusion time may help minimize problems. Your doctor will monitor your progress with treatment and make adjustments when necessary.

A healthcare professional will give you Ocrevus either at a doctor’s office, an infusion center, or maybe even at your home.

They’ll administer the drug as an intravenous infusion. (This is an injection into a vein that’s given over time.) They’ll monitor you closely for side effects while you receive your Ocrevus infusion.

For information about the typical dosage schedule for Ocrevus, see the “What is Ocrevus’s dosage?” section above.

If you miss an appointment to receive a dose of Ocrevus, call your doctor’s office immediately. They’ll reschedule your infusion.

After receiving your missed dose, you’ll need to wait at least 5 months for your next dose. Your doctor’s office will adjust your dosage schedule if needed.

To help make sure you don’t miss an appointment, try writing down a reminder on a calendar or setting one on your phone.

If you have questions or concerns about a missed dose of Ocrevus, talk with your doctor.

The sections above describe the typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Ocrevus for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage. Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Will my dosage of Ocrevus depend on the type of MS I have?
  • Does my Ocrevus dosage need to change if I’m taking other drugs for MS?
  • Because of my liver problems, will my dosage of Ocrevus be lowered?

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Q:

What happens if I miss my second starter dose (300-mg dose) of Ocrevus?

Anonymous

A:

If you miss a dose of Ocrevus, you should contact your doctor’s office immediately. It is important to get your dose as soon as possible and not wait for the next scheduled dose. Once you receive your missed dose, your doctor will schedule your next dose for 6 months from the date you received the missed dose.

Dena Westphalen, PharmDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

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.