Kesimpta: Uses, How It Works, and Common Side Effects

Kesimpta is a prescription medicine used for specific forms of relapsing multiple sclerosis to slow disease progression and reduce the risk of relapses.

It is given once a month by injection under the skin using a prefilled autoinjector or prefilled syringe and you or your caregiver can be taught how to administer these.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, ongoing disease that causes damage to the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

It is thought that B-cells play a critical role in MS and Kesimpta works by binding to and decreasing B-cells, which may reduce the speed at which your immune system attacks your nerves.

This may decrease inflammation, reduce MS symptoms, slow your disability progression, and lower your relapse rate. Because Kesimpta affects your immune system, one of the most serious potential side effects is an increase in the risk of serious infections.

You won’t be able to start treatment if you currently have an infection and your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check you for the hepatitis B virus. You may need treatment for this before you start.

Some of the more common side effects with Kesimpta include an upper respiratory tract infection, such as a cold or the flu, headaches, and redness or swelling around the injection site.

If you are a female that can become pregnant, you should not be pregnant when you start Kesimpta or become pregnant while receiving it, because it could harm your unborn baby. You will need to use an effective method of birth control during treatment and for 6 months after your last dose.

This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your healthcare provider.