Pretreating Ocrevus patients w/antihistamines and liquids to lower infusion reactions

[agate]

Some researchers have found that pretreating MS patients taking Ocrevus with antihistamines and fluids lowered infusion reactions by 60%, as reported in Multiple Sclerosis News Today (December 18):
.Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

[Lazarus]

Pretreatments are standard procedure for my rituxan infusions..I think for everyone...
Sunshine gets them for IVIg, I think I remember her discussing that. I know I did. The pretreatment s I get are some kind of antihistamine, some steroid and some pain med.

During one IVIg infusion when my nurse forgot to give me the premeds there was a dramatic situation and the infusion was stopped for an hour until the all clear.

Drinking water before infusions is really important or my nurses have trouble finding a vein to use. When I am hydrated there is no problem but when I do not drink enough water before I get there...big problem. The water probably makes a difference besides this too.

It is amazing how important the 3 premeds and water are and I have been doing infusions for about 15 years if not more.

Thanks for the article. With so many people starting Ocrevus it is important for the patients to be almost more informed than the nurses and doctors!

[Cherie]

I always get 650 mg Tylenol, 25 mg benadryl and my doc wanted 100 mg Solucortef but I refuse the steroid. I only had a reaction the first infusion that needed more benadryl but none since then.

[Sunshine]

I never pretreated before IVIG until My last infusion two weeks ago since the one prior to it created massive leg spasms and halted the IVIG for an hour while infused Ativan could calm it down.

So, now I will pretreat with oral 1mg Ativan and a second tab after 5 hours.

[Lazarus]

I never pretreated before IVIG until My last infusion two weeks ago since the one prior to it created massive leg spasms and halted the IVIG for an hour while infused Ativan could calm it down.

So, now I will pretreat with oral 1mg Ativan and a second tab after 5 hours.

Hmmm..that’s interesting. It would be worth asking about the difference between the 2 protocols we followed relating to pretreatment.