Kesimpta (ofatumumab) is a medication used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), and like many drugs that affect the immune system, it can have side effects, including potential impacts on mood. While Kesimpta itself is not primarily known for causing mood disorders directly, some patients may experience changes in mood or emotional well-being during treatment.
Mood disorders refer to a range of mental health conditions that primarily affect a person’s emotional state, such as depression, anxiety, irritability, or mood swings. In the context of MS and its treatments like Kesimpta, several factors can contribute to mood changes:
1. **Underlying Disease Impact:** MS itself often affects the brain and nervous system in ways that can lead to symptoms like depression or anxiety. The stress of living with a chronic illness also plays a significant role.
2. **Immune System Modulation:** Kesimpta works by targeting specific immune cells called B-cells to reduce inflammation and disease activity in MS. Altering immune function can sometimes influence brain chemistry indirectly because the immune system interacts with neurological processes.
3. **Side Effects Related to Treatment:** Some medications used for MS have been associated with side effects such as fatigue or flu-like symptoms after injections which might worsen feelings of irritability or low mood temporarily.
4. **Individual Variability:** Each person’s reaction to medication differs based on genetics, overall health status, other medications they take, and psychological resilience.
Although Kesimpta’s official prescribing information lists common side effects mostly related to infections (due to its immunosuppressive action), injection site reactions, headache, fever-like symptoms — it does not prominently highlight severe psychiatric side effects as frequent issues reported during clinical trials or post-marketing surveillance.
However:
– Some patients treated with similar B-cell depleting therapies have reported mild mood disturbances.
– Mood changes could also be linked indirectly through infection risks; infections themselves may cause systemic symptoms affecting mental state.
– Stress from managing injection routines and coping with chronic illness might exacerbate underlying predispositions toward anxiety or depression.
If someone taking Kesimpta notices new onset or worsening of depressive symptoms such as persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, significant fatigue beyond normal tiredness from treatment; increased irritability; anxiety; difficulty concentrating; sleep disturbances; thoughts about self-harm — these should be promptly discussed with their healthcare provider for evaluation and management.
Healthcare providers typically monitor patients closely for any neuropsychiatric symptoms while on disease-modifying therapies for MS because maintaining both physical and mental health is crucial for overall quality of life during treatment.
In summary:
Kesimpta does not commonly cause primary mood disorders but given the complexity of multiple sclerosis itself combined with individual responses to therapy—including possible indirect influences—mood changes are possible though generally uncommon as direct drug-induced effects. Patients should remain vigilant about their emotional well-being throughout treatment courses and communicate openly about any concerns so appropriate support measures can be implemented if needed.
