Ocrevus, Tysabri, and Briumvi in Portland: Where to Get Your MS Infusion
If you or someone you love has been prescribed an infusion therapy for multiple sclerosis, the experience ahead probably feels unfamiliar. Most people have not set foot in an infusion center before their neurologist hands them a prescription, and the paperwork, insurance language, and unfamiliar drug names can make the whole thing feel harder than it needs to be.
At Vital Care of Portland, we take care of MS patients across Oregon every week. Our goal is simple: make your first infusion as stress-free as your twentieth. This guide walks through what MS infusion therapy looks like at our pharmacy, which medications we dispense, and how you get started.
Why neurologists prescribe infusion therapy for MS
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic condition in which the immune system attacks the protective coating around nerves. Disease-modifying therapies, or DMTs, work to slow that attack and reduce the number and severity of relapses. Oral DMTs exist, but many of the most effective options are given by infusion. That is because the medication needs to be delivered at a higher, controlled dose that the body cannot absorb through a pill.
Infusion therapies also give your care team a scheduled touchpoint with you. Every infusion is a chance to check in, review side effects, and catch changes early.
MS infusion therapies we dispense in Oregon
Vital Care of Portland has access to the full range of MS infusion medications, including:
Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) for relapsing or primary progressive MS
Tysabri (natalizumab) for relapsing forms of MS
Briumvi (ublituximab) for relapsing forms of MS
Ultomiris (ravulizumab) for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)
Uplizna (inebilizumab) for NMOSD
Radicava (edaravone) for ALS, which we mention because many of the neurology practices we work with also treat ALS patients
Your neurologist will choose the therapy that matches your disease course, your risk profile, and your preferences. Our role is to make sure you can actually receive it, on time, in a setting that works for your life.
Site of care: home versus our Happy Valley suite
One of the most common questions we hear is, “Do I have to go into a clinic?” The answer depends on the drug and on what is most comfortable for you. Some MS therapies require in-suite infusion with nursing observation, while others can be given safely at home by one of our infusion nurses. For patients who qualify for home infusion, we bring the supplies, medication, and nursing care to your living room. For patients who prefer an outpatient setting, our Happy Valley infusion suite offers a private, quiet space with a recliner, warm blankets, and Wi-Fi.
We are locally owned, which means the person who answers your call is usually someone you will meet in person. That matters when you have a question about a side effect or when a dose needs to move up because of a relapse.
What happens between your prescription and your first infusion
Once your neurologist sends us your prescription, our intake team gets to work. Here is the shortened version of what we do:
Welcome call to introduce ourselves and gather your insurance details
Benefits investigation to confirm what your plan covers under the medical or pharmacy benefit
Prior authorization coordination with your insurance company
Patient assistance enrollment for eligible patients to reduce out-of-pocket cost
Scheduling with our infusion nurse or in-suite team
Supply prep and shipping if you are receiving home infusion
For most MS medications, our target is to have you infused within two to three weeks of receiving the order. If your neurologist has flagged it as urgent, we move faster.
What to bring and how to prepare for your first infusion
For in-suite appointments, plan for three to five hours depending on the medication. Wear something comfortable with sleeves you can roll up. Bring a book, headphones, a phone charger, and a snack if you want one. If you are getting Ocrevus or Tysabri for the first time, your appointment will be longer than maintenance doses because we infuse at a slower rate to watch for reactions.
For home infusion, our nurse will set up in the space you choose. Most patients pick their living room recliner or a favorite chair. The nurse stays with you for the entire infusion.
Getting started
If your neurologist has prescribed an MS infusion and you would like to be seen at Vital Care of Portland, you can have the order faxed to 971-484-4950 or call us at 971-484-4940 to check referral status. Our intake team will walk you through the next steps and give you a realistic timeline.
Learn more at vitalcareofportland.com or reach out at intake@vitalcareofportland.com.
