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Ocrevus vs. Aubagio

Are Ocrevus and Aubagio the Same Thing?

Ocrevus (siponimod) and Aubagio (interferon beta-1b) Kit are used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Aubagio will not cure MS, it will only decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms.

Ocrevus and Aubagio belong to different drug classes. Ocrevus is a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator and Aubagio is a beta interferon made from human proteins.

Side effects of Ocrevus and Aubagio that are similar include headache.

Side effects of Ocrevus that are different from Aubagio include high blood pressure (hypertension), increased liver transaminase, falls, pain and swelling in extremities, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, and slow heart rate.

Side effects of Aubagio that are different from Ocrevus include muscle pain or weakness, sleep problems (insomnia), stomach or abdominal pain, swelling in your hands or feet, skin rash, hives, itching, irregular menstrual periods, flu-like symptoms (chills, fever, general feeling of being unwell), increased sweating, decreased white blood cell count, injection site reactions (bruising, swelling, redness, pain, warm feeling, or leaking of fluid), stuffy nose, and irregular heartbeat.

Ocrevus may interact with “live” vaccines, cancer medications, immune-modulating drugs, immunosuppressive therapies, anti-arrhythmics, QT prolonging drugs, calcium channel blockers, other drugs that may decrease heart rate, beta-blockers, fluconazole, rifampin, carbamazepine, modafinil, or efavirenz.

Aubagio may interact with alcohol.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Ocrevus?

Common side effects of Ocrevus include:

What Are Possible Side Effects of Aubagio?

Common side effects of Aubagio include:

  • liver problems,
  • influenza,
  • hair loss or thinning hair,
  • nausea,
  • diarrhea,
  • burning or prickly feeling in your skin, or
  • numbness or tingling in your hands or feet that is different from your MS symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Aubagio including:

  • fever,
  • chills,
  • body aches,
  • flu symptoms,
  • sores in your mouth and throat,
  • itching,
  • tired feeling,
  • loss of appetite,
  • dark urine,
  • clay-colored stools,
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes,
  • fast or racing heartbeats,
  • confusion,
  • little or no urinating,
  • chest pain,
  • dry cough,
  • wheezing,
  • feeling short of breath,
  • skin redness or peeling,
  • swelling,
  • rapid weight gain, or
  • severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

What Is Ocrevus?

Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) injection is aCD20-directed cytolytic antibody indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsing or primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.

What Is Aubagio?

Aubagio (teriflunomide) is a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

 

What Drugs Interact With Ocrevus?

Ocrevus may interact with other immune-modulating or immunosuppressive therapies, including immunosuppressant doses of corticosteroids. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

What Drugs Interact With Aubagio?

Aubagio may increase exposure of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. Patients taking Coumadin (warfarin) should be closely monitored as interactions may occur. Aubagio may cause major birth defects if used during pregnancy. Pregnancy must be excluded before starting treatment with Aubagio. Pregnancy must be avoided while taking Aubagio treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). If Aubagio is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking Aubagio, the drug should be discontinued immediately and an accelerated elimination procedure should be initiated. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

 

How Should Ocrevus Be Taken?

Hepatitis B virus screening is required before the first dose of Ocrevus. Pre-medicate with methylprednisolone (or an equivalent corticosteroid) and an antihistamine prior to each infusion. The starting dose of Ocrevus is 300 mg intravenous infusion, followed two weeks later by a second 300 mg intravenous infusion. Subsequent doses of Ocrevus are 600 mg intravenous infusion every 6 months.

How Should Aubagio Be Taken?

The recommended dose for Aubagio is 7 mg or 14 mg taken orally, once daily, with or without food.