Ocrelizumab

The Basics

What is Ocrelizumab?

Used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Brand names for Ocrelizumab

Ocrevus

How Ocrelizumab is classified

Biological Response Modifiers, Immunologic Adjuvants, Antibodies – Monoclonal

Ocrelizumab During Pregnancy

Ocrelizumab pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Ocrelizumab while pregnant

OCREVUS is a humanized monoclonal antibody of an immunoglobulin G1 subtype and immunoglobulins are known to cross the placental barrier. There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with use of OCREVUS in pregnant women. However, transient peripheral B-cell depletion and lymphocytopenia have been reported in infants born to mothers exposed to other anti-CD20 antibodies during pregnancy. B-cell levels in infants following maternal exposure to OCREVUS have not been studied in clinical trials. The potential duration of B-cell depletion in such infants, and the impact of B-cell depletion on vaccine safety and effectiveness, is unknown . Following administration of ocrelizumab to pregnant monkeys at doses similar to or greater than those used clinically, increased perinatal mortality, depletion of B-cell populations, renal, bone marrow, and testicular toxicity were observed in the offspring in the absence of maternal toxicity

Taking Ocrelizumab While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Ocrelizumab?

No information is available on the clinical use of ocrelizumab during breastfeeding. Because ocrelizumab is a large protein molecule with a molecular weight of about 148,000, the amount in milk is likely to be very low and absorption is unlikely because it is probably destroyed in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract. Until more data become available, ocrelizumab should be used with caution during breastfeeding, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Maternal / infant drug levels

No information is available on the clinical use of ocrelizumab during breastfeeding. Because ocrelizumab is a large protein molecule with a molecular weight of about 148,000, the amount in milk is likely to be very low and absorption is unlikely because it is probably destroyed in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract. Until more data become available, ocrelizumab should be used with caution during breastfeeding, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Possible effects of Ocrelizumab on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Ocrelizumab

(Multiple Sclerosis) Glatiramer, Immune Globulin, Interferon beta, Methylprednisolone, Peginterferon beta.