A nurse will run through a checklist to ensure you're OK to have your infusion — for example they'll check that you don't have any infections such as flu and you may be asked to take some additional tests. You may also have a cannula put into a vein in your arm; this is the thin tube that your infusion of Ocrevus will travel through to get into your bloodstream to travel to where it needs to work.

Before your Ocrevus infusion, you’ll be given other medications to help prevent or reduce possible side effects such as headache, nausea and itching.¹

These pre-medications will include a steroid and an antihistamine, and may also include a drug that reduces fever (an antipyretic, like paracetamol).¹ These will be given to you before every treatment of Ocrevus.

Your first infusion of Ocrevus will be a 300 mg half-dose, given via a drip into a vein in your arm. This is likely to take up to 2.5 hours.¹ The infusion may be given at a slower rate at first, then gradually sped up. You’ll be closely monitored by your doctor or nurse throughout,¹ so just try to relax with a book, movie, music or game.

After your infusion, your doctor or nurse will continue to monitor you for at least 1 hour, to make sure you’re OK to go home.¹

Your cannula may be kept in your arm during this time, so an IV flush can be carried out to clean the tube.

Your second infusion with Ocrevus will take place 2 weeks after your first infusion, and will also be a 300 mg half-dose, probably taking the same amount of time.¹ You will also have the same pre-medications as your first infusion.

6 months after your second infusion, and every 6 months in future, you’ll return to hospital for a full dose (600 mg) infusion of Ocrevus. This will be a very similar experience, including the pre-medication process. Once you are being given a full dose of Ocrevus, the infusion itself can take between 2 to 3.5 hours depending on how well you tolerate the infusion.¹