Ofatumumab
Also sold as: Arzerra, Kesimpta
Related Medications
These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.
Classification: CD20-directed Antibody Interactions (source: RxClass/NLM)
Insurance Coverage User-Reported
No community coverage data yet for ofatumumab.
Coverage data submission coming soon.
Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action The precise mechanism by which ofatumumab exerts its therapeutic effects in multiple sclerosis is unknown, but is presumed to involve binding to CD20, a cell surface antigen present on pre-B and mature B lymphocytes. Following cell surface binding to B lymphocytes, ofatumumab results in antibody-dependent cellular cytolysis and complement-mediated lysis.
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE KESIMPTA is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. KESIMPTA is a CD20-directed cytolytic antibody indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. ( 1 )
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Before initiating KESIMPTA, screen for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and obtain serum quantitative immunoglobulins, aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin. ( 2.1 ) Administer KESIMPTA by subcutaneous injection only. ( 2.2 , 2.3 ) Initial Dosing: 20 mg administered at Weeks 0, 1, and 2. ( 2.2 ) Subsequent Dosing: 20 mg administered monthly starting at Week 4. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Assessments Prior to First Dose of KESIMPTA Hepatitis B Virus Screening Prior to initiating KESIMPTA, perform Hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening. KESIMPTA is contraindicated in patients with active HBV confirmed by positive results for Hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] and anti-HBV tests. For patients who are negative for HBsAg and positive for Hepatitis B core antibody [HBcAb+] or are carriers of HBV [HBsAg+], consult liver disease experts before starting and during treatment with KESIMPTA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . Serum Immunoglobulins Prior to initiating KESIMPTA, perform testing for quantitative serum immunoglobulins [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] . For patients with low serum immunoglobulins, consult immunology experts before initiating treatment with KESIMPTA. Vaccinations Because vaccination with live-attenuated or live vaccines is not recommended during treatment and after discontinuation until B-cell repletion, administer all immunizations according to immunization guidelines at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of KESIMPTA for live or live-attenuated vaccines, and whenever possible, at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of KESIMPTA for inactivated vaccines [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . Liver Function Tests Prior to initiating KESIMPTA, obtain serum aminotransferases (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST]), alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin levels [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] . 2.2 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage of KESIMPTA is: initial dosing of 20 mg by subcutaneous injection at Weeks 0, 1, and 2, followed by subsequent dosing of 20 mg by subcutaneous injection once monthly starting at Week 4. Missed Doses If an injection of KESIMPTA is missed, it should be administered as soon as possible without waiting until the next scheduled dose. Subsequent doses should be administered at the recommended intervals. 2.3 Administration Instructions Administer by subcutaneous injection only. KESIMPTA is intended for patient self-administration by subcutaneous injection. Administer KESIMPTA in the abdomen, thigh, or outer upper arm subcutaneously. Do not give injection into moles, scars, stretch marks, or areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, scaly, or hard. The first injection of KESIMPTA should be performed under the guidance of a healthcare professional [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] . KESIMPTA Sensoready ® pens and syringes are for one-time use only and should be discarded after use. See Instructions for Use for complete administration instructions. 2.4 Preparation of KESIMPTA The KESIMPTA “Instructions for Use” for each presentation contains more detailed instructions on the preparation of KESIMPTA. Before administration, remove KESIMPTA Sensoready Pen or KESIMPTA prefilled syringe from the refrigerator and allow KESIMPTA to reach room temperature for about 15 to 30 minutes. DO NOT remove the needle cover while allowing the prefilled syringe to reach room temperature. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not use if the liquid contains visible particles or is cloudy.
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail elsewhere in the labeling: Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Injection-Related Reactions and Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Reduction in Immunoglobulins [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Liver Injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] Most common adverse reactions (incidence greater than 10%) are upper respiratory tract infection, headache, injection-related reactions, and local injection site reactions. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation at 1-888-669-6682 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Approximately 1500 patients with RMS received KESIMPTA in clinical studies. In Study 1 and Study 2, 1882 patients with RMS were randomized, 946 of whom were treated with KESIMPTA for a median duration of 85 weeks; 33% of patients receiving KESIMPTA were treated for up to 120 weeks [see Clinical Studies (14.1)] . The most common adverse reactions occurring in greater than 10% of patients treated with KESIMPTA and more frequently than in patients treated with teriflunomide were upper respiratory tract infections, injection-related reactions (systemic), headache, and injection-site reactions (local). The most common cause of discontinuation in patients treated with KESIMPTA was low immunoglobulin M (3.3%), defined in trial protocols as IgM at 10% below the lower limit of normal (LLN). Table 1 summarizes the adverse drug reactions that occurred in Study 1 and Study 2. Table 1: Adverse Reactions in Patients With RMS With an Incidence of at Least 5% With KESIMPTA and a Greater Incidence Than Teriflunomide (Pooled Study 1 and Study 2) a Includes the following: nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, influenza, sinusitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, viral upper respiratory infection, tonsillitis, acute sinusitis, pharyngotonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis streptococcal, viral rhinitis, sinusitis bacterial, tonsillitis bacterial, viral pharyngitis, viral tonsillitis, chronic sinusitis, nasal herpes, tracheitis. Adverse reactions KESIMPTA 20 mg N = 946 % Teriflunomide 14 mg N = 936 % Upper respiratory tract infections a 39 38 Injection-related reactions (systemic) 21 15 Headache 13 12 Injection-site reactions (local) 11 6 Urinary tract infection 10 8 Back pain 8 6 Blood immunoglobulin M decreased 6 2 Injection-Related Reactions and Injection-Site Reactions The incidence of injection-related reactions (systemic) was highest with the first injection (14.4%), decreasing with subsequent injections (4.4% with second, less than 3% with third injection). Injection-related reactions were mostly (99.8%) mild to moderate in severity. Two (0.2%) patients treated with KESIMPTA reported serious injection-related reactions. There were no life-threatening injection-related reactions. Most frequently reported symptoms (2% or greater) included fever, headache, myalgia, chills, and fatigue. In addition to systemic injection-related reactions, local reactions at the administration site were very common. Local injection-site reactions were all mild to moderate in severity. The most frequently reported symptoms (2% or greater) included erythema, pain, itching, and swelling [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] . Laboratory Abnormalities Immunoglobulins In Study 1 and Study 2, a decrease in the mean level of IgM was observed in KESIMPTA-treated patients but was not associated with an increased risk of infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] . In 14.3% of patients in Study 1 and Study 2, treatment with KESIMPTA resulted in a decrease in a serum IgM that reached a value below 0.34 g/L. KESIMPTA was associated with a decrease of 4.3% in mean IgG levels after 48 weeks of treatment and an increase of 2.2% after 96 weeks. 6.2 Immunogenicity As with all therapeutic proteins, there is potential for immunogenicity. The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors, including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medication, and the underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies in the studies described below with the incidence of antibodies in other studies or to other ofatumumab products may be misleading. Treatment-induced anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) were detected in 2 of 914 (0.2%) KESIMPTA-treated patients; no patients with treatment-enhancing or neut
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Immunosuppressive or Immune-Modulating Therapies Concomitant usage of KESIMPTA with immunosuppressant drugs, including systemic corticosteroids, may increase the risk of infection. Consider the risk of additive immune system effects when coadministering immunosuppressive therapies with KESIMPTA. When switching from therapies with immune effects, the duration and mechanism of action of these therapies should be taken into account because of potential additive immunosuppressive effects when initiating KESIMPTA.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS KESIMPTA is contraindicated in patients with: Active HBV infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] . History of hypersensitivity to ofatumumab or life-threatening injection-related reaction to KESIMPTA. Hypersensitivity reactions have included anaphylaxis and angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] . Active HBV infection. ( 4 ) History of hypersensitivity to ofatumumab or life-threatening injection-related reaction to KESIMPTA. ( 4 )
Verify with Primary Sources
Always verify clinical information with authoritative sources.
Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is sourced from FDA-approved labeling data and is for educational reference only. It does not constitute medical advice. This information does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always verify with current prescribing information and consult a licensed healthcare professional before any clinical decision. Read full disclaimer.
Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.