Ofatumumab Injection (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia)

Ofatumumab injection (Arzerra) is only available though a special restricted distribution program (Arzerra Oncology Access Program). In order to receive ofatumumab injection (Arzerra) your doctor must be registered with the program, and follow the requirements. The Arzerra Oncology Access Program will ship the medication directly to the doctor, hospital, or pharmacy.

You may already be infected with hepatitis B (a virus that infects the liver and may cause severe liver damage) but not have any symptoms of the disease. In this case, ofatumumab injection may increase the risk that your infection will become more serious or life-threatening and you will develop symptoms. Tell your doctor if you have or ever had hepatitis B virus infection. Your doctor will order a blood test to see if you have an inactive hepatitis B virus infection. If necessary, your doctor may give you medication to treat this infection before and during your treatment with ofatumumab. Your doctor will also monitor you for signs of hepatitis B infection during and for several months after your treatment. If you experience any of the following symptoms during or after your treatment, call your doctor immediately: excessive tiredness, yellowing of the skin or eyes, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, muscle aches, stomach pain, or dark urine.

Some people who received ofatumumab developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML; a rare infection of the brain that cannot be treated, prevented, or cured and that usually causes death or severe disability) during or after their treatment. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: new or sudden changes in thinking or confusion, dizziness, loss of balance, difficulty talking or walking, new or sudden changes in vision, or any other unusual symptoms that develop suddenly.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to ofatumumab injection.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of using ofatumumab injection.

🔔 Why is this medication prescribed?

Ofatumumab injection is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; a type of cancer of the white blood cells):

• in combination with chlorambucil in people who have not received treatment or are unable to receive treatment with fludarabine (Fludara).
• in combination with fludarabine (Fludara) and alemtuzumab (Campath) when CLL has returned after previous treatment.
• as extended treatment in people with CLL that has improved fully or partially after at least two lines of treatment.
• in people who have not responded to treatment with fludarabine (Fludara) and alemtuzumab (Campath).

Ofatumumab injection is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by killing cancer cells.

The average length of the portion of a doctor appointment in which the patient actually sees the doctor is up from previous years, rising by about 12 seconds per year, according to Reuters. However, 60% of physicians report dissatisfaction with the amount of time they spend with their patients, athenaInsight Many doctors now spend more time on paperwork than seeing patients, and a primary care physician who spends 5 minutes of face-to-face time with a patient will spend another 19.3 minutes, on average, working on that patient’s electronic health records (EHRs).

Ofatumumab is also available as an injection (Kesimpta) that is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS; a disease in which the nerves do not function properly and people may experience weakness, numbness, loss of muscle coordination, and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control). This monograph only gives information about ofatumumab injection (Arzerra) for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. If you are receiving ofatumumab for multiple sclerosis, read the monograph entitled Ofatumumab Injection (Multiple Sclerosis).

🔔 How should this medicine be used?

Ofatumumab injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be added to fluid and injected intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or hospital. It is usually injected once a week. The length of your treatment depends on your condition and on how well you respond to treatment.

You may experience a reaction during or for up to 24 hours after you receive a dose of ofatumumab. Your doctor will give you other medications to prevent or treat certain side effects 30 minutes to 2 hours before you receive each dose of ofatumumab injection. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms while you receive ofatumumab: fever, chills, rash, or difficulty breathing. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with ofatumumab injection.