ofatumumab at a glance
Medicine class
Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and disease-modifying therapy.
Licensed use
Active relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults.
Administration
A single-use pen injected under the skin after training; the first injection is supervised.
Storage
Keep refrigerated, protected from light and do not freeze; limited room-temperature storage is permitted.
What is ofatumumab used for?
Licensed use for the selected product:
Treatment of adults with active relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, where activity is shown by relapses or imaging features.
How does ofatumumab work?
Ofatumumab binds to CD20 on B lymphocytes. This depletes these immune cells, mainly through complement-dependent cell destruction, reducing immune activity that contributes to inflammatory damage in relapsing multiple sclerosis.
ofatumumab preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 20 mg
How to take ofatumumab
Inject under the skin exactly as demonstrated by the MS team. The first injection should be given with healthcare-professional guidance.
Usual sites are the front of the thigh or lower abdomen; a trained caregiver or professional may use the upper outer arm.
Rotate sites and avoid skin that is infected, sore, bruised, red, hard, scarred or scaly.
Let the pen reach room temperature for about 15–30 minutes while it remains in its carton.
Check the viewing window and do not use the pen if the liquid is cloudy or contains visible particles.
Each pen is for single use.
ofatumumab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Upper respiratory infections, such as colds or sinus symptoms
- Urinary tract infections
- Injection-site redness, pain, itching or swelling
- Injection-related fever, headache, muscle aches, chills or tiredness
- Oral herpes
- Nausea or vomiting
- Reduced blood immunoglobulin M
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty or swelling of the face, tongue or throat
- Serious or worsening infection
- New neurological symptoms that could indicate progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
- Hepatitis B reactivation
ofatumumab in pregnancy
Pregnancy data are limited, and fetal B-cell depletion is possible because ofatumumab can cross the placenta. The current SmPC advises avoiding treatment during pregnancy unless maternal benefit outweighs fetal risk. Contact the MS team before trying to conceive or promptly after an unplanned pregnancy; an exposed infant may need B-cell assessment before receiving live vaccines.
ofatumumab while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding evidence is limited, although measured milk concentrations have generally been low. The current SmPC states that ofatumumab may be used while breastfeeding if clinically needed, with particular consideration during the first few days after birth; discuss timing with the MS and maternity teams.
ofatumumab interactions
Important practical interactions mainly involve immune-modifying treatments and vaccination.
Live or live-attenuated vaccines
These are not recommended during treatment or after stopping until B-cell recovery because they may cause infection.
Inactivated vaccines
They can be given when clinically appropriate, but the immune response may be reduced; vaccination plans should be reviewed before treatment.
Other immunosuppressive or immune-modifying treatments
Combined or sequential use may produce additive immune suppression, so previous and planned therapies must be reviewed by the specialist.
Common questions about ofatumumab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is ofatumumab chemotherapy?
No. It is a targeted monoclonal antibody that depletes CD20-positive B cells and is licensed as a disease-modifying treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis, not as chemotherapy.
Does ofatumumab cure multiple sclerosis?
No. It is intended to reduce future relapses and inflammatory disease activity, but does not cure MS or directly reverse established symptoms.
Can I inject ofatumumab myself at home?
Yes, after appropriate training. The first injection should be performed under healthcare-professional guidance.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.