Ocrevus

[santeriq]

Some of the most commonly reported ones include:

• Infusion-related reactions, such as rash, itching, fever, fatigue, headache, or throat irritation, usually during or shortly after the infusion.
• Increased risk of infections, including respiratory tract infections and herpes-related infections.
• Lowered immune response, since Ocrevus affects B cells, which are part of the immune system.
• Possible reactivation of hepatitis B in patients who have previously been infected.
• Rare but serious risks, like progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), though this is extremely uncommon.

Before starting treatment, most patients are required to complete the Ocrevus enrollment form ([url]https://startforms.health/ocrevus-start-form/[/url]), which helps coordinate insurance approval, schedule the first infusion, and connect patients with Genentech’s support services. This form is an important part of the process — it ensures proper screening and support before the first dose.

[awu]

Hi - since it has been a year since a post update I wanted to ask if the recent data still shows little to no drug gets into the breast milk?

When does the drug become undetectable in breastmilk?

[nicholec]

Ocrevus is not expected to be bioavailable in breastfeeding infants. The one potential concern that should be discussed with your infants pediatrician is a higher likelihood of GI infections. Peak levels of Ocrevus occur 4-7 days after infusion. You could choose to pump and dump on these days if you want to use extreme caution and avoid high exposure, but it is not 100% necessary. Please feel free to call the IRC for any questions or concerns!

Nichole Campbell, MSN, APRN-NP-C
InfantRisk Center

[Lillyog23]

Hello.

I'm hoping to get some up to date information on breastfeeding while on Ocrevus. I was not on any medication during my pregnancy. My baby is now 4 weeks old and I'm due to resume Ocrevus infusions in three weeks when baby is about 7 weeks old.

Would appreciate your advice on the risks associated with continuing to breastfeed after resuming treatment.

Thanks.

[kaytlin]

Hi Evey,

You've found the most recent data we have available! The results are very encouraging, particularly that none of the infants involved displayed any negative effects. The absolute infant dose found here (absolute infant dose of 0.024 mg/kg/d) is quite low. While there still isn't much data to go off of, these large molecule drugs don't pass into the breastmilk to a large degree. Even further, there is a reason Ocrevus is given as an injection--it isn't absorbed well orally. This protects the infant from any Ocrevus that does get in your milk. In most situations with a healthy 3-month-old, breastfeeding on Ocrevus is feasible with your pediatrician's blessing.

You might check out our app, MommyMeds, where you can look up drugs like Ocrevus to hear our opinions 24/7

Kaytlin Krutsch, PharmD

[Evey]

Hello,

Is it safe to breastfeed my 3 month old while on Ocrevus? Baby was full term and not exposed to Ocrevus during pregnancy.
I've read this article: [url]https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/10495/presentation/495[/url] And it sounds nice, what do you think?
Thank you!

[kaytlin]

It's a LR4 - No Data, Possibly Hazardous. Waiting will surely reduce exposure (not eliminate it).

[Henley25]

Okay, thank you so much for all of this information and insight. I appreciate it! Is there a lactation risk category assigned to Ocrevus? Also, would pumping and dumping for a full half life (26 days) and then resuming breastfeeding significantly reduce infant drug exposure?

[kaytlin]

Unfortunately, your questions are better than our knowledge. We believe that antibodies are somewhat resistant to degradation in infants (I'll include a reference below in case you are interested). Although not ideal in your scenario, it is how we believe babies get benefits from natural antibodies in milk.

I wouldn't think gut-B cell destruction would directly relate to blood counts. The goal would be to monitor two things: GI symptoms AND B cells in the serum. I would think the GI symptoms would be much more likely, but the severity of any risk of B cell depletion in the baby shouldn't be ignored. Simple monitoring is a good compromise to keep everyone healthy.

Kaytlin

​​​​​​Kim BJ, Lueangsakulthai J, Sah BNP, Scottoline B, Dallas DC. Quantitative Analysis of Antibody Survival across the Infant Digestive Tract Using Mass Spectrometry with Parallel Reaction Monitoring. Foods. 2020;9(6)
Jasion VS, Burnett BP. Survival and digestibility of orally-administered immunoglobulin preparations containing IgG through the gastrointestinal tract in humans. Nutr J. 2015;14:22. Published 2015 Mar 7. doi:10.1186/s12937-015-0010-7

[Henley25]

Also, if b cells in the gut are destroyed, would that be reflected in bloodwork? Thank you!

[Henley25]

Thank you. If the drug is destroyed in gut before becoming systemically absorbed, would the gastric acids destroy the drug before it had a chance to affect b cells in gut?

[kaytlin]

Hello Henley,

While we don't have any data on Ocrevus, we expect transfer through breastmilk to be low. Poor oral bioavailability protects the infant to some degree as well.

There is a risk that the drug would decrease B cells in the infant's gut. If you want to continue breastfeeding, I'd watch for GI trouble in the baby and ask if your pediatrician would monitor B cell counts.

Kaytlin Krutsch, PharmD

[Henley25]

Dr. Hale,

I have to go back on Ocrevus treatment for MS soon. Is it safe to breastfeed my 7 month old while on Ocrevus? Baby was full term and not exposed to Ocrevus during pregnancy. Thank you!

[admin]

Lisa:

We actually have NO data on the transfer of this monoclonal IgG1 antibody into human milk. Of three cases reported in postmarketing surveillance, only one infant of the the three reported slight changes in B cells at 1 month of age. They returned to normal subsequently.

Assuming the mother did not use this during pregnancy, the risk is much less as the infant would NOT have have full plasma levels of this drug following exposure in the third trimester.

I think it would probably be OK for the mom to breastfeed as long as the pediatrician followed the infants B cell count.

Tom Hale Ph.d.



Oreja-Guevara C, Wray S, Buffels R, et al. Pregnancy outcomes in patients treated with ocrelizumab. ECTRIMS Online Library 2019. https: //onlinelibrary .ectrims-congress.eu /pdfviewer/web/viewer .html?file=https%3A//onlinelibrary .ectrims-congress .eu/ectrims /download/poster%3Fcm_id%3D282372 ([url]https://onlinelibrary.ectrims-congress.eu/pdfviewer/web/viewer.html?file=https%3A//onlinelibrary.ectrims-congress.eu/ectrims/download/poster%3Fcm_id%3D282372[/url]).

[lisabrannon]

I am working with a new mom and baby. The mom is expecting to resume Ocrevus at 2 months postpartum. She is planning to wean based on the recommendation of her doctor. Is breastfeeding while on Ocrevus an option for a mom with a 2-month-old baby, or is that too young?

Thank you,
Lisa, RN, CLC