Ofatumumab Injection (Multiple Sclerosis)
Ofatumumab is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by stopping certain cells of the immune system from reaching the brain and spinal cord and causing damage.
Ofatumumab is also available as an injection (Arzerra) that is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (a slowly developing cancer in which too many of a certain type of white blood cell accumulates in the body). This monograph only gives information about ofatumumab injection (Kesimpta) for multiple sclerosis. If you are receiving ofatumumab for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, read the monograph entitled Ofatumumab Injection (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia).
🔔 How should this medicine be used?
Ofatumumab injection comes as a solution (liquid) in a prefilled dosing pen and a prefilled syringe to inject subcutaneously (under the skin) into your stomach, thigh, or upper arm. It is usually injected once a week for the first 3 doses and then once monthly starting at week 4 of treatment for as long as your doctor recommends that you receive treatment. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use ofatumumab injection exactly as directed. Do not inject more or less of it or inject it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
You will receive your first subcutaneous dose of ofatumumab injection in your doctor’s office. After that, your doctor may allow you to inject ofatumumab yourself or have a caregiver perform the injections. Before you use ofatumumab injection yourself the first time, read the written instructions that come with it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you or the person who will be injecting the medication how to inject it.
Inject ofatumumab into the thigh or stomach area, except the area 2 inches (5 centimeters) around your navel. If someone else is giving you the injection, that person can also inject the medication into your upper arms. Use a different site for each injection to reduce the chances of soreness or redness. Do not inject into an area where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard or where you have scars, moles, or stretch marks.
Remove the prefilled dosing pens or prefilled syringes from the refrigerator 15 to 30 minutes before your are ready to inject the medication. Do not remove the needle cover from the prefilled syringe while waiting for it to reach room temperature. Check to be sure that the expiration date printed on the package has not passed. The liquid should be clear and colorless to slightly brownish-yellow and should not be cloudy or discolored or contain particles. Call your pharmacist if there are any problems and do not inject the medication.
Just under half – 49% – of Americans get their health insurance through their employer, according to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Another 19% of Americans are insured under Medicaid, 14% under Medicare, seven% under non-group plans and two% under other public insurers, while nine% of U.S. citizens remain uninsured.
Do not shake the dosing pen or syringe. Be careful not to drop the medication onto a hard surface because this may damage the syringe or needle.
Never reuse or share dosing pens or syringes. Dispose of pens and syringes in a puncture-resistant container. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to dispose of the puncture resistant container.
