Briumvi
Briumvi (ublituximab or ublituximab-xiiy) is a medication used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). This medication is given as an infusion into your veins by a healthcare provider. After you finish the starting doses, you'll receive Briumvi (ublituximab) once every 6 months. Briumvi (ublituximab) can raise your risk for infusion-related reactions so your provider might give you pre-medications, such as a corticosteroid, before your infusion to lower the risk of these reactions.
What is Briumvi (ublituximab)?
What is Briumvi (ublituximab) used for?
How Briumvi (ublituximab) works
Briumvi (ublituximab) is a monoclonal antibody. It's not exactly known how the medication works, but it's thought to treat MS symptoms by preventing certain immune cells in your body from attacking the outer coverings on your nerve cells.
Drug Facts
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What are the side effects of Briumvi (ublituximab)?
Common Side Effects
- Fever, chills, headaches, and other infusion-related reactions (48%)
- Runny nose, sore throat, and other symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (45%)
- Cough, chest pain, and other symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections (9%)
Other Side Effects
- Herpes infection
- Pain in arms or legs
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling tired
Serious Side Effects
- Serious allergic reaction: hives, rash, itching, dizziness, fever, shaking, flushing, trouble breathing, chest pain
- Serious infection: fever, chills, cough, painful urination, vision problems, loss of coordination of arms and legs
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, confusion or trouble speaking
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
- Infusion reactions—chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
Pros and cons of Briumvi (ublituximab)
Pros
Works well for treating relapsing forms of MS
Given once every 6 months after the first 2 doses
Can be used in people with liver or kidney problems
Copay savings program available for people who are eligible
Cons
Needs to be given as an IV infusion by a healthcare provider
Should be avoided in pregnant females
Hasn't been studied in children
Commonly causes infusion reactions
Pharmacist tips for Briumvi (ublituximab)
Mark your appointments to see your provider and receive Briumvi (ublituximab) on your calendar. This helps you remember to receive your treatments on time.
Please plan enough time for your Briumvi (ublituximab) infusions. Your first infusion will take about 4 hours. Each infusion after that will take about 1 hour. Keep in mind that your provider might ask you to arrive early to receive pre-medications to lower your risk of infusion-related reactions, such as fever and chills. Your provider might also ask you to stay for up to an hour after your infusion to see if you have any infusion-related reactions. Make sure to dress comfortably and bring a book or something else to help pass the time.
If you miss your scheduled Briumvi (ublituximab) infusion, contact your provider to get it as soon as possible. Keep in mind that this will reset your future dosing schedule. Make a note that you'll receive your future Briumvi (ublituximab) dose 6 months after the date you receive your infusion.
You can experience infusion-related reactions for up to 24 hours after your Briumvi (ublituximab) infusion. If you have symptoms such as hives, flushing, trouble breathing, pain in your mouth and throat, fever, headache, dizziness, get medical help right away.
Briumvi (ublituximab) can raise your risk for infections. If you notice any signs of an infection like fever, chills, weakness on one side of your body, changes in thinking or memory, or cough, call your provider.
Frequently asked questions about Briumvi (ublituximab)
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What are the risks and warnings for Briumvi (ublituximab)?
Briumvi (ublituximab) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Infusion reactions
Briumvi (ublituximab) can cause infusion-related reactions, such as fever, chills, and headache. Very rarely, these reactions can be life-threatening (anaphylaxis). Infusion reactions are most common within 24 hours of your first infusion, and are less likely with later infusions. To lower your risk and severity of infusion-related reactions, your provider will likely give you a few medications about 30 minutes to 1 hour before your Briumvi (ublituximab) infusion. These medications generally include a steroid, antihistamine, and acetaminophen (Tylenol). They'll also ask you to stay at the clinic for at least 1 hour after your first two infusions to observe how your body responds to the medication. If you do experience a mild or moderate infusion reaction, your provider will probably temporarily stop the infusion or slow your infusion. If your reaction is severe, your provider will stop Briumvi (ublituximab) to manage your symptoms, and switch you to a different medication in the future.
You can experience infusion-related reactions for up to 24 hours after your infusion, so make sure to contact your provider if you notice symptoms after you've returned home.
Risk of infections
Risk factors: Active, chronic (long-term), or recurrent infection | Other conditions that raise your risk of infection | Taking medications that weaken your immune system
Briumvi (ublituximab) can affect your body's ability to fight off infections, which can raise your risk of bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. The risk is higher if you have an active infection or an infection that keeps coming back, have certain conditions that make it easier to develop infections, or are taking medications that weaken your immune system.
Briumvi (ublituximab) can put you at risk for reactivated hepatitis B virus (HBV). This infection can cause serious liver problems if you're a carrier of the virus. You'll need to get tested for hepatitis B before starting Briumvi (ublituximab) and get appropriate treatment if your provider detects that you're infected.
If you develop symptoms of an infection (e.g., fever, cough, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, weakness, sweating, chills) while taking Briumvi (ublituximab), go to the hospital right away so you can be tested for an infection. You might have to stop taking Briumvi (ublituximab) so your body can fight the infection. Tell your provider about your medical conditions and medications so they can make sure Briumvi (ublituximab) is safe for you.
Low antibodies
Because of the way Briumvi (ublituximab) works, it's expected for the medication to lower the antibody levels in your body. Low antibody levels can potentially raise your risk for infections. Your provider will monitor your antibody levels during and after treatment with Briumvi (ublituximab). If you end up with a serious infection or an infection that keeps coming back, you might need to stop Briumvi (ublituximab) treatment.
Potential harm to unborn babies
Briumvi (ublituximab) can cause severe and life-threatening harm to babies born to mothers who take this medication during pregnancy. If you're able to become pregnant, your provider will ask you to take a pregnancy test before each dose of Briumvi (ublituximab). In addition, you're recommended to take birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose of Briumvi (ublituximab). If you become pregnant during treatment with Briumvi (ublituximab), contact your provider right away.
Briumvi (ublituximab) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Briumvi (ublituximab)
Briumvi (ublituximab) is given by a healthcare provider as a slow infusion into the veins (IV).
Starting dose: The typical starting dose is 150 mg infused IV once. Two weeks after your first dose, your provider will give you 450 mg infused IV once.
Maintenance dose: Six months after your first infusion, your provider will continue your treatment with 450 mg infused IV once every 6 months.
How much does Briumvi (ublituximab) cost?
Briumvi (ublituximab) contraindications
Active hepatitis B infection
What are alternatives to Briumvi (ublituximab)?
Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults who haven't responded well enough to at least two other MS medications
What is the latest news about Briumvi (ublituximab)?
Briumvi (ublituximab) images
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References
Best studies we foundLoh, R. K., et al. (2013). Quantitative serum immunoglobulin tests. Australian Family Physician.
National Human Genome Research Institute. (2024). Antibody.
National Multiple Sclerosis. (2022). Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS).
Okwuokenye, M., et al (2017). Number needed to treat in multiple sclerosis clinical trials. Neurology and Therapy.
Steinman, L., et al. (2022). Ublituximab versus teriflunomide in relapsing multiple sclerosis. The New England Journal of Medicine.
TB Therapeutics, Inc. (2023). Briumvi- ublituximab injection, solution, concentrate [package insert]. DailyMed
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