Starting Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon)Your first 90 days with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD): the steps, the dates and who to call

How you take it

An infusion into a vein at an infusion center or doctor's office. You get 2 doses 2 weeks apart, then 1 dose every 6 months. Each one takes about 90 minutes, then they watch you for at least 1 hour.

Before your first dose

• A blood test for hepatitis B. You cannot start Uplizna if you have an active hepatitis B infection.
• A check for tuberculosis (TB), including a test for TB that is hiding in your body without symptoms.
• A blood test of your antibody levels, so your doctor can compare them later.
• Any vaccines you need, at least 4 weeks before your first infusion. Ask your doctor which vaccines you need.
• Tell your doctor about every medicine that affects your immune system, including steroids and other NMOSD medicines.
• Your doctor's office or you sign up with Amgen By Your Side, the drugmaker's support program. A helper called a Patient Access Liaison checks what your insurance covers.
• Your insurance approves the medicine. With private insurance, you may pay as little as $0.

The first 90 days

1. Before the first infusionEnrollment and the benefits check
2. Before the first infusionHepatitis B, tuberculosis and antibody tests
3. At least 4 weeks beforeLast day for vaccines, 4 weeks before day 1
4. Once approvedApproval, then booking the infusion
5. Day 1Day 1: medicines first, then the infusion, then 1 hour of watching
6. After the first infusionInfusion reactions are most common with the first dose
7. Day 15Day 15: the second starting infusion
8. Day 29B cells are down
9. OngoingAntibody levels over time
10. Day 90Next infusion: 6 months after day 1