Ofatumumab

Ofatumumab is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS) in adults. It helps manage conditions like clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease. This injection works by targeting specific immune cells in your body to help reduce the frequency of symptom flare-ups.

To achieve the best results, you must inject Ofatumumab consistently according to the schedule your healthcare provider establishes. Because it is given as an injection under the skin, it can be taken with or without food. Making healthy lifestyle choices, such as staying cool, managing stress, and eating a balanced diet, can further support your nervous system during treatment.

While using Ofatumumab, you may experience mild side effects like injection site reactions or cold-like symptoms. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious symptoms, such as severe infections, vision changes, or signs of liver damage. Regular medical check-ups are essential to monitor your health and catch any potential issues early.

Do not take this if you have an active hepatitis B infection. Before starting Ofatumumab, your doctor will complete a pre-treatment evaluation, including hepatitis B screening, complete blood count (CBC), liver enzyme tests, and a vaccination review (live vaccines should be given at least 4 weeks before starting, and non-live vaccines at least 2 weeks before). In India, Ofatumumab (Kesimpta) is a speciality cold-chain prescription medicine available through major hospital pharmacies, authorised distributor networks, and specialised neurology centres.

Certain medicines that weaken the immune system can interact with Ofatumumab, increasing your risk of infections. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as this medicine may affect an unborn baby. Additionally, it is wise to avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake, as these habits can worsen multiple sclerosis symptoms and affect how your body responds to therapy.

Ofatumumab helps manage multiple sclerosis by reducing disease activity and protecting the nervous system from further damage. The key benefits of Ofatumumab are as follows:

• Reduces Relapses: By decreasing the frequency of multiple sclerosis relapses, Ofatumumab helps you maintain a more consistent daily routine with fewer sudden disruptions.
• Delays Disability Progression: It helps slow the worsening of physical disability, allowing you to preserve strength, mobility, and independence for a longer period.
• Reduces Brain Lesions: Ofatumumab helps reduce the number of active brain lesions visible on MRI scans, indicating reduced inflammation in the central nervous system and helping protect the brain and spinal cord from further harm.

• Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
• Ofatumumab will be administered by a healthcare professional.
• Do not self-administer.

Common Side Effects (Usually mild):

• Pain, redness, itching, or swelling at the injection site
• Cold symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or sinus pain
• Mild fever, headache, or muscle aches shortly after injection
• Urinary tract infections
   

Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):

• Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or severe skin rash (signs of a severe allergic reaction)
• High fever, persistent chills, severe cough, or painful urination (signs of a serious infection)
• Yellowing of your eyes or skin, dark urine, or severe right-sided stomach pain (signs of liver damage)
• Progressive weakness on one side of your body, vision changes, clumsiness, or confusion (which could be signs of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a rare but serious brain infection)