Kesimpta (ofatumumab) and Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) are prescription drugs. They’re used to treat clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Both drugs come as liquid solutions for injection. Kesimpta and Ocrevus are not available as biosimilars.
This article explains how Kesimpta and Ocrevus are alike and different. For more information, including details about their uses, see these Kesimpta and Ocrevus articles.
See the following list to find out whether Kesimpta or Ocrevus is available as a biosimilar. (Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.)
- Kesimpta:
- Available as a biosimilar: no
- Active ingredient: ofatumumab
- Ocrevus:
- Available as a biosimilar: no
- Active ingredient: ocrelizumab
Kesimpta and Ocrevus are both prescribed to treat certain conditions in adults. See the table for details on the conditions each drug treats.
To learn more about using Kesimpta or Ocrevus to treat your condition, talk with your doctor. You can also see this article on Kesimpta for MS.
Here’s an overview of the dosage and how you’ll receive Kesimpta and Ocrevus for the conditions they both treat.
Kesimpta is also used to treat PPMS, but this use isn’t addressed here. To learn more about the dosages for all conditions these drugs treat, see the Kesimpta dosage and Ocrevus dosage articles.
Dosage for CIS and MS
Here are the dosages of Kesimpta and Ocrevus when used for the following conditions in adults:
- CIS
- RRMS
- active SPMS
Strengths of each drug are listed in milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL).
| Kesimpta for CIS and MS | Ocrevus for CIS and MS | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | liquid solution inside a prefilled, single-use syringe or injection pen, given as an injection under the skin | liquid solution inside a single-use vial, given as an intravenous (IV) infusion |
| Strength | 20 mg/0.4 mL | 300 mg/10 mL |
| Dose | depends on the treatment plan your doctor prescribes | depends on the treatment plan your doctor prescribes |
| How often to receive | initial doses at 0, 1, 2, and 4 weeks, then every 4 weeks | initial doses at 0 and 2 weeks, then every 6 months |
Your doctor will show you or a caregiver how to inject Kesimpta under the skin of your abdomen, upper thigh, or upper arm.
A healthcare professional will give you Ocrevus as an IV infusion (an injection that’s given slowly into your vein over time). You’ll receive each dose in a clinic or infusion center. In some cases, you may be able to receive Ocrevus infusions at home.
You can also find more information on the Kesimpta manufacturer’s website or the Ocrevus manufacturer’s website.
Kesimpta and Ocrevus may cause side effects ranging from mild to serious.
For more information about possible side effects, see the Kesimpta side effects and Ocrevus side effects articles.
Mild side effects
Kesimpta and Ocrevus may cause mild side effects. The following table lists examples of mild side effects that have been reported with these drugs.
| Kesimpta | Ocrevus | |
|---|---|---|
| back pain | ✓ | ✓ |
| arm or leg pain | ✓ | |
| headache | ✓ | |
| depression | ✓ | |
| cough | ✓ | |
| diarrhea | ✓ | |
| swelling in the arms or legs | ✓ | |
| mild infection, such as upper respiratory infection | ✓ | ✓ |
| reactions near the injection site, such as pain and swelling | ✓ | |
| whole-body reactions related to the injection, such as fever and chills | ✓ |
This table may not include all mild side effects of these drugs. For more information on mild side effects of the two drugs, see the Kesimpta prescribing information and Ocrevus prescribing information.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects may also occur in people using Kesimpta or Ocrevus. See the table for a list of side effects that have been reported with these drugs.
| Kesimpta | Ocrevus | |
|---|---|---|
| infusion reactions, such as itching and difficulty breathing | ✓ | |
| serious infection, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) | ✓ | ✓ |
| low levels of immunoglobulins (a type of protein) | ✓ | ✓ |
| increased risk of cancers, such as breast cancer | ✓ | |
| colitis (inflammation of the colon) | ✓ |
To learn about your specific risk for serious side effects from Kesimpta or Ocrevus, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
ALLERGIC REACTIONFor some people, Kesimpta can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in Kesimpta studies or Ocrevus studies.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Kesimpta.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Kesimpta, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Kesimpta and Ocrevus.
How do Kesimpta and Ocrevus compare with other drugs for MS, such as Tysabri and Mavenclad?
Kesimpta, Ocrevus, Tysabri, and Mavenclad are all prescribed to treat certain types of MS. But each drug has other uses as well.
Here are a few of the ways Kesimpta and Ocrevus compare with Tysabri and Mavenclad.
| Kesimpta | Ocrevus | Tysabri | Mavenclad | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | ofatumumab | ocrelizumab | natalizumab | cladribine |
| Forms | liquid solution for injection under the skin | liquid solution for IV infusion | liquid solution for IV infusion | oral tablet |
| Approved uses | • CIS • RRMS • active SPMS | • CIS • RRMS • active SPMS • PPMS | • CIS • RRMS • active SPMS • Crohn’s disease | • RRMS • active SPMS |
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can you use Kesimpta and Ocrevus together?
Doctors aren’t likely to prescribe Kesimpta and Ocrevus together.
This is because each drug may cause infection when used individually. Using Kesimpta and Ocrevus together could increase this risk even further.
If you have questions about whether Kesimpta or Ocrevus is better for your condition, talk with your doctor.
You may wonder how effective Kesimpta and Ocrevus are or whether one is better for your condition.
Kesimpta and Ocrevus are both used to treat CIS, RRMS, and active SPMS. Studies of Kesimpta and Ocrevus have shown that both drugs are effective for these uses.
It’s important to note that your results from Kesimpta or Ocrevus may differ from those seen in studies. Talk with your doctor about whether one of these drugs is right for you.
If you’d like to read more about how each drug performed in studies, see the Kesimpta prescribing information and Ocrevus prescribing information.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering these drugs.
Keep in mind that what you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your treatment plan, health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
Kesimpta and Ocrevus are both brand-name drugs. Neither drug is available in a biosimilar form. (Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.)
For other resources that might help you save on the price of these drugs, see the Kesimpta cost and Ocrevus cost articles.
Kesimpta and Ocrevus may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These may be referred to as warnings.
The two drugs share some of the same warnings, but they also have different ones. Some of these warnings are mentioned here. Before you start using Kesimpta or Ocrevus, be sure to talk with your doctor to check whether these warnings apply to you.
Before using Kesimpta or Ocrevus, talk with your doctor if any of the following conditions or health factors apply to you.
- Warnings for Kesimpta:
- no unique warnings
- Warnings for Ocrevus:
- if you have inflammatory bowel disease or colitis (inflammation of the colon)
- Warnings for both Kesimpta and Ocrevus:
- if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients
- if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
- if you’ve ever had hepatitis B
- if you have an infection
The short answer: Yes, it’s possible.
Details: Both Kesimpta and Ocrevus are prescribed to treat CIS and certain types of MS. It may be possible to switch between the two drugs for their shared uses. Your doctor can tell you more.
Reminder: You should not switch drugs or stop your current treatment unless your doctor recommends it.
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.