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  • Kesimpta®
Back to Treatment Guide

Kesimpta®

ofatumumab

Quick Facts

Kesimpta® is a monoclonal antibody and anti-inflammatory disease-modifying therapy that depletes white blood cells called B cells.

Self-injected under the skin.

Monthly.

Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, and active secondary-progressive MS

Potential Benefit:

Tested against active comparator, Kesimpta showed:

  • Reduced relapse by 51%-59%
  • Reduced likelihood of disability progression by 34%
  • 94%-98% fewer Gd + T1 lesions on MRI

Common Potential Side Effects

Headache and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), including sore throat, runny nose. Injection-related reactions (fever, headache, muscle pain, chills, and fatigue). Local injection site reactions (redness, pain, itching, and swelling).

Prescription Assistance:

Alongside Kesimpta >

For assistance finding additional resources that might help cover the costs of your prescription, contact MSAA.

Hear from the Expert
Erica M. Rivas-Rodriguez, MD
Neurologist and MS Specialist, Baylor Scott & White Health
Erica M. Rivas-Rodriguez, MD
“Trying to figure out and understand what these different medications are going to do, how they’re going to help you, it can be overwhelming.”

DRUGMAKER

Novartis

HOW Kesimpta® WORKS

Kesimpta®, a monoclonal antibody, binds to a protein on the surface of immune cells, white blood cells called B lymphocytes or B cells. This depletes B cells, preventing them from stripping the myelin sheath and causing nerve damage.

FDA-Approved

Kesimpta® was FDA-approved in 2020 to treat relapsing forms of MS, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.

Potential Side Effects

Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), including sore throat, runny nose, and headache, as well as headache unrelated to a URTI. Serious but less-common adverse events include infections, hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, and a weakened immune system. A possible serious side effect is progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare brain infection that usually leads to death or severe disability over a period of weeks or months.

OTHER KEY INFORMATION

Testing completed prior to starting Kesimpta® includes:

  • Perform hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening.
  • Test for quantitative serum immunoglobulins.
  • Consider: Complete Blood Count with differential, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, T and B cell subset, QuantiFERON-TB Gold test, urinalysis and cultures.

Testing completed after starting Kesimpta® includes:

  • Complete Blood Count with differential, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, T and B cell subset, immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) every six months, consider urinalysis with culture and sensitivity.

Patient advocates talk about
their treatment experience

  • Kristie Salerno Kent
    MS Advocate, Patient Advocacy Consultant
    Kristie Salerno Kent
    “I have had situations where treatments aren’t approved at first. My doctors, nurses, they go actually go to bat for me and made it happen.”
  • Azure Antoinette
    MS Advocate
    Azure Antoinette
    “I wish would have had access or agency to get seen sooner and to treat this sooner.”
  • Damian Washington
    MS Advocate
    Damian Washington
    “Nobody’s going to be looking out for your best interests better than you.”
  • Cathy Chester
    MS Advocate
    Cathy Chester
    “I think it’s really important to talk about how to age with this illness.”
  • Lauren Hutton-Work
    MS Advocate
    Lauren Hutton-Work
    “Just because you have this disease does not mean that your work life should be awkward or uncomfortable.”
  • Chernise Joseph
    MS Advocate
    Chernise Joseph
    “My first neurologist was a frontline neurologist, he wasn’t an MS specialist.”
  • Julian Gamboa
    MS Advocate
    Julian Gamboa
    “If you’re newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis remember it’s always okay to get a second opinion.”
  • Sam and Lauren Alcorn
    MS Advocates
    Sam and Lauren Alcorn
    “Our future is uncertain and we have to enjoy each other and love each other in the present.”
  • Shawn Feliciano
    MS Advocate
    Shawn Feliciano
    “I want to know what medications might work best for someone who’s Hispanic.”
  • Darlene Feigen
    MS Advocate
    Darlene Feigen
    “The sooner you get on a therapy the better it is in the long run.”
  • Birgit Bauer
    MS Advocate
    Birgit Bauer
    “At the end of the appointment you should have an answer to the most important questions.”
  • Ellen Tutton
    MS Advocate
    Ellen Tutton
    “I looked up all the different disease modifying therapies and compared them to my lifestyle.”
  • Victoria Marie Reese
    MS Advocate
    Victoria Marie Reese
    “I’m trying to show my daughter that taking care of yourself is cool.”
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Last modified: Aug 4, 2022

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