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A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Orlando, FL

I had been taking gilenya until I got COVID and I also have a new lesion on my T spine. Now reviewing next med to take. Neurologist speaks highly of Mavenclad but of course there are options. Number one side effect of mavenclad is cancer!! I know a lot of the MS drugs can cause cancer but it stands out for me with Mavenclad. Does anyone have experience with either of these drugs or have any info to offer on ocrevus vs. mavenclad?

Thanks!!

February 11, 2022
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Here's a comparison between Ocrevus and Mavenclad based on the provided knowledge base:

Ocrevus (Ocrelizumab)
- Approval: FDA-approved for both relapsing and primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis
- Mechanism: Biologic immunomodulator that reduces the number of CD20-positive B cells, which are involved in nerve Show Full Answer

Here's a comparison between Ocrevus and Mavenclad based on the provided knowledge base:

Ocrevus (Ocrelizumab)
- Approval: FDA-approved for both relapsing and primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.
- Mechanism: Biologic immunomodulator that reduces the number of CD20-positive B cells, which are involved in nerve cell attacks.
- Administration: Intravenous infusion in a medical setting once every six months after initial loading doses.
- Side Effects:
- Common: Infusion reactions (headache, dizziness, fever, nausea, itching, rash, flushed skin, low blood pressure, fast heartbeat), infections of the skin and respiratory tract.
- Rare but serious: Severe infusion reactions, increased risk for some types of cancer.

Mavenclad (Cladribine)
- Approval: FDA-approved for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, including relapsing-remitting MS and active secondary progressive MS. Typically prescribed when other treatments are ineffective or poorly tolerated.
- Mechanism: Immunomodulator that reduces the number of B and T lymphocytes, which contribute to autoimmune attacks in MS.
- Administration: Oral tablets taken during two separate treatment courses each year, with each course lasting two weeks and about a month between courses.
- Side Effects:
- Common: Headache, low white blood cell count, upper respiratory tract infection.
- Rare but serious: Increased risk for low blood cell counts, serious infections, blood disorders, liver toxicity or injury, risk of developing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after receiving blood transfusions.

Summary
- Ocrevus is administered via infusion and targets CD20-positive B cells, while Mavenclad is taken orally and targets both B and T lymphocytes.
- Both have common and rare but serious side effects, with Ocrevus having a risk of cancer and Mavenclad having risks related to blood cell counts and liver toxicity.

For more details, you can visit the respective pages:
- [Ocrevus - Roche](https://www.ocrevus.com/)
- [Mavenclad — EMD Serono](https://www.mavenclad.com)

July 30, 2024

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