Imagine if simple tasks like getting dressed, making a meal, or even walking were a challenge. Many of us take these actions for granted, but this is the reality for the one million Americans who live with multiple sclerosis (MS).¹ It can be especially hard for those living with relapsing MS (RMS) — the most common type of MS — since they can experience periods of relapses, or symptom “attacks,” and remissions, which is when symptoms subside or even completely disappear.² ³ With the most common age of onset being 20 to 40 years old, it’s important to know about the different types of MS, recognize signs and symptoms, and explore the available treatment options for this autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system.³
To help educate and empower individuals about RMS, we tapped Dr. Sharon Stoll, a board-certified neurologist and neuro-immunologist who works tirelessly to help individuals diagnosed with MS and their loved ones understand this chronic condition.
No matter what someone’s initial thoughts are upon receiving an MS diagnosis, Stoll recommends keeping an open mind and becoming their own advocate — even though doing research on their own can be scary and overwhelming.
“The MS space changes so quickly, and something that may have been true a few months ago may be outdated by the time a patient is seeing me,” Stoll explains. “I encourage patients not to rule anything out before speaking with their healthcare provider.”
So, what exactly is RMS? Take this quick seven question quiz to learn more.
To learn even more, visit ReframingMS.com to download a 3-step guide that outlines a process for reflecting, reframing, and reaching out, so that people living with relapsing MS can voice their needs and reach for what’s possible, wherever they are in their journey.
Important Safety Information
Who should not take KESIMPTA?
Do NOT take KESIMPTA if you:
- have an active hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
- have had an allergic reaction to ofatumumab or life-threatening injection-related reaction to KESIMPTA.
What is the most important information I should know about KESIMPTA?
KESIMPTA can cause serious side effects such as:
- Infections. Serious infections, which can be life-threatening or cause death, can happen during treatment with KESIMPTA. If you have an active infection, your health care provider (HCP) should delay your treatment with KESIMPTA until your infection is gone. KESIMPTA taken before or after other medicines that weaken the immune system may increase your risk of getting infections. Tell your HCP right away if you have any infections or get any symptoms including painful and frequent urination, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, fever, chills, cough, or body aches.
- HBV reactivation. If you have ever had HBV infection, it may become active again during or after treatment with KESIMPTA (reactivation). If this happens, it may cause serious liver problems including liver failure or death. Before starting KESIMPTA, your HCP will do a blood test to check for HBV. They will also continue to monitor you during and after treatment with KESIMPTA for HBV. Tell your HCP right away if you get worsening tiredness or yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes.
- Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML may happen with KESIMPTA. PML is a rare, serious brain infection caused by a virus that may get worse over days or weeks. PML can result in death or severe disability. Tell your HCP right away if you have any new or worsening neurologic signs or symptoms. These may include weakness on one side of your body, loss of coordination in arms and legs, vision problems, changes in thinking and memory, which may lead to confusion and personality changes.
- Weakened immune system. KESIMPTA taken before or after other medicines that weaken the immune system could increase your risk of getting infections.
Before you take KESIMPTA, tell your HCP about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- Have or think you have an infection including HBV or PML.
- Have ever taken, currently take, or plan to take medicines that affect your immune system. These medicines could increase your risk of getting an infection.
- Have had a recent vaccination or are scheduled to receive any vaccinations.
- You should receive any required ‘live’ or ‘live-attenuated’ vaccines at least 4 weeks before you start treatment with KESIMPTA. You should not receive ‘live’ or ‘live-attenuated’ vaccines while you are being treated with KESIMPTA and until your HCP tells you that your immune system is no longer weakened.
- Whenever possible, you should receive any ‘non-live’ vaccines at least 2 weeks before you start treatment with KESIMPTA.
- Talk to your HCP about vaccinations for your baby if you used KESIMPTA during your pregnancy.
- Are pregnant, think that you might be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if KESIMPTA will harm your unborn baby. Females who can become pregnant should use birth control (contraception) during treatment with KESIMPTA and for 6 months after your last treatment. Talk with your HCP about what birth control method is right for you during this time.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if KESIMPTA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your HCP about the best way to feed your baby if you take KESIMPTA.
Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How should I use KESIMPTA?
See the detailed Instructions for Use that comes with KESIMPTA for information about how to prepare and inject a dose of KESIMPTA and how to properly throw away (dispose of) used KESIMPTA Sensoready pens or prefilled syringes.
- Use KESIMPTA exactly as your HCP tells you to use it.
- Your HCP will show you how to prepare and inject KESIMPTA the right way before you use it for the first time.
- Do not inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, scaly or hard. Avoid areas with moles, scars, or stretch marks.
KESIMPTA may cause serious side effects including:
- Injection-related reactions. Injection-related reactions are a common side effect of KESIMPTA. Injecting KESIMPTA can cause injection-related reactions that can happen within 24 hours (1 day) following the first injections and with later injections. There are two kinds of reactions:
- at or near the injection site: redness of the skin, swelling, itching, and pain. Talk to your HCP if you have any of these signs and symptoms.
- that may happen when certain substances are released in your body: fever, headache, pain in the muscles, chills, tiredness, rash, hives, trouble breathing, swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, mouth, tongue and throat, and feeling faint, or chest tightness. Contact your HCP right away if you experience any of these signs and symptoms, especially if they become worse or you have new severe signs of reactions after subsequent injections. It could be a sign of an allergic reaction, which can be serious.
- Low immunoglobulins. KESIMPTA may cause a decrease in some types of antibodies. Your HCP will do blood tests to check your blood immunoglobulin levels.
The most common side effects of KESIMPTA include:
- Upper respiratory tract infection, with symptoms such as sore throat and runny nose, and headache.
- Headache.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information including Medication Guide.
Indication
What is KESIMPTA (ofatumumab) injection?
KESIMPTA is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) including clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease.
It is not known if KESIMPTA is safe or effective in children.
References
- Multiple Sclerosis International Federation. Atlas of MS 3rd Edition. Part 1: Mapping multiple sclerosis around the world. Accessed July 28, 2023.
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MS signs & symptoms. Accessed July 28, 2023.
- Hunter SF. Overview and Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Am J Managed Care. 2016;22:S141-S150.
- Olek, MJ. Multiple sclerosis. Annals of internal medicine. 2021;174(6):ITC81-ITC96.
- Kesimpta Prescribing Information. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; April 2024.
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