Ofatumumab is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Ofatumumab is usually given after other medications have been tried without success.
Ofatumumab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
If you have certain risk factors for hepatitis B, ofatumumab can cause this condition to come back or get worse, which could lead to liver failure or death. You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.
Ofatumumab may cause a serious viral infection of the brain that can lead to disability or death. Call your doctor right away if you have any change in your mental state, decreased vision, or problems with speech or walking.
Ofatumumab increases the risk of a serious viral infection of the brain that can lead to disability or death. This risk is higher if you have a weak immune system or are receiving certain medicines.
To make sure ofatumumab is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- hepatitis;
- severe infections; or
- severe COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether ofatumumab will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether ofatumumab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Ofatumumab Side Effects
Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, confused, itchy, tingly, or have chest pain, jaw or arm pain, back pain, stomach pain, wheezing, chest tightness, or trouble breathing. These reactions can occur during the injection or within 24 hours afterward.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- change in your mental state, problems with speech or walking, decreased vision (these symptoms may start gradually and get worse quickly);
- fever, chills, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms;
- stabbing chest pain, wheezing, feeling short of breath, cough with yellow or green mucus;
- liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- signs of tumor cell breakdown--lower back pain, blood in your urine, little or no urinating; numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth; muscle weakness or tightness; fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse, feeling short of breath; confusion, fainting.
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
- diarrhea, nausea;
- mild rash; or
- tired feeling.
Ofatumumab Interactions
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using ofatumumab. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.
Other drugs may interact with ofatumumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
Ofatumumab Dosage
Ofatumumab is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and one dose can take up to several hours to complete.Ofatumumab is usually given in a series of 12 doses. The first 8 doses are given 1 week apart. The last 4 doses are given 4 weeks apart. You may also need to take antiviral medications if you are found to have any risk factors for hepatitis B. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
You will be given other IV or oral (by mouth) medications to prevent certain side effects of ofatumumab. You may need to start using these medications up to 2 hours before the start of your ofatumumab infusion.
Ofatumumab can have long lasting effects on your body. You may also need frequent medical tests while you are using ofatumumab and for a short time after you stop using this medication.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking this medication, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using ofatumumab.
Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your ofatumumab injection.
