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Chronic Conditions

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

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Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Medications

  • Rituxan
  • Soliris
  • Ultomiris
  • Uplizna

TwelveStone Health Partners provides specialized care coordination and infusion services for patients who have been prescribed biologic therapy for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) at 30+ regional locations. Working alongside your prescribing neurologist, our clinical team supports your prescribed relapse-prevention therapy through medication administration, monitoring, and coordinated care.

Our team supports the key logistics around your prescribed therapy, including benefits verification, prior authorization, copay assistance resources, and scheduling. Contact us to start the intake process and learn what information we need to coordinate your prescribed treatment.

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Patient receiving an NMOSD infusion with a clinician at an outpatient infusion center in the Southeast.

Where Infusion Therapy Fits in NMOSD Relapse Prevention

NMOSD is an autoimmune disorder that most often affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. Relapses can cause vision loss, weakness, numbness, and other neurologic symptoms, and repeated attacks may lead to lasting disability. For that reason, preventing future relapses is a major goal of long-term NMOSD treatment.

NMOSD care includes treating acute attacks and reducing the risk of future relapses. Acute attacks are managed by a neurology or emergency care team and may involve treatments such as high-dose corticosteroids or plasma exchange. TwelveStone supports the outpatient phase after your neurologist prescribes a relapse-prevention therapy, including infusion administration and treatment coordination when appropriate.

Your neurologist may use AQP4-IgG testing, MRI findings, and your clinical history to help diagnose NMOSD and distinguish it from conditions with overlapping features, including multiple sclerosis and MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). AQP4-IgG status also affects treatment eligibility because FDA-approved targeted NMOSD therapies are indicated for adults who are AQP4-antibody positive. Your neurologist will determine which therapy is appropriate for your individual condition. 

Once your neurologist prescribes a therapy that TwelveStone can support, our team can help verify benefits, coordinate authorization, and schedule treatment at an appropriate location. Contact us to confirm medication and location availability and begin the intake process.

FDA-Approved NMOSD Biologics: Infusion and Injection Options

Four targeted biologic therapies are FDA-approved in the United States for adults with NMOSD who are anti-AQP4 antibody positive: eculizumab, ravulizumab, inebilizumab, and satralizumab. They work through different immune pathways and are administered either by intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection. Your neurologist will determine which option is appropriate based on your medical history, treatment goals, dosing schedule, safety considerations, and other individual factors.

Treatment Approach Infusion or Injection Option
Complement C5 inhibitors Eculizumab (Soliris) and ravulizumab (Ultomiris) are administered by intravenous infusion for NMOSD. Because these medications increase the risk of serious meningococcal infection, patients must follow meningococcal vaccination requirements, and prescribers must comply with the ULTOMIRIS and SOLIRIS REMS program.
B-cell depletion Inebilizumab (Uplizna) is administered by intravenous infusion. Treatment begins with two initial doses two weeks apart, followed by maintenance infusions every six months as prescribed. TwelveStone provides Uplizna infusion care for eligible adults with NMOSD and coordinates treatment with the prescribing physician.
IL-6 receptor blockade Satralizumab (Enspryng) is administered as a subcutaneous injection. After appropriate training from a healthcare professional, eligible patients or caregivers may administer the medication at home according to the prescribed schedule.

Rituximab is also used off-label for some patients with NMOSD, although it is not FDA-approved specifically for this condition. Decisions about continuing rituximab or changing to another preventive therapy should be made with your neurologist based on your individual clinical needs. 

For infusion therapies supported by TwelveStone, our team works with your prescribing office on referral intake, benefits verification, prior authorization, scheduling, and clinical administration.

What to Expect During Your Infusion Visit

View through glass into TwelveStone Health Partners reception and waiting area, with the logo and office hours printed on the door.

Your visit at a TwelveStone infusion center follows a structured process that may vary depending on your prescribed medication and treatment plan. Care is provided in a private treatment suite, with clinical monitoring throughout the infusion and amenities such as Wi-Fi, television, and refreshments available at participating locations.

  • Check-in and assessment: Your care team confirms your treatment information, reviews relevant health updates, and records baseline vital signs before the infusion begins.
  • IV or access placement: A licensed clinical team member establishes IV access or uses an appropriate existing access device, depending on your treatment order.
  • Pre-medications, when required: Depending on your prescribed therapy, your treatment plan may include medications given before the infusion to help reduce the risk or severity of infusion-related reactions.
  • Infusion and monitoring: Your prescribed medication is administered according to its ordered infusion rate while the clinical team monitors you throughout treatment.
  • Post-infusion observation: Depending on the medication and your treatment protocol, you may remain at the center for monitoring after the infusion is complete.
  • Discharge instructions: Before you leave, your care team reviews any medication-specific precautions, follow-up instructions, and symptoms that should prompt you to contact your provider or seek urgent medical care.

Before your appointment, follow any preparation instructions provided for your specific medication. Unless your care team advises otherwise, staying well hydrated may make IV placement easier, and comfortable clothing with loose or adjustable sleeves can help with access. 

You may also bring a book, headphones, or another activity for longer visits. If your care team tells you that a pre-medication may cause drowsiness, arrange transportation home in advance.

After treatment, follow the discharge instructions provided by your clinical team and report new or concerning symptoms as directed. Contact TwelveStone before your appointment if you have questions about preparation, visit length, or what to expect with your prescribed therapy.

Your Path to NMOSD Infusion Care

Once your neurologist prescribes an infusion therapy that TwelveStone supports, our team helps coordinate the steps between referral and treatment. We work with you, your prescribing provider, and your insurer to manage applicable authorization, medication, and scheduling requirements while supporting the treatment plan ordered by your neurologist.

Our care coordination team can assist with the key steps required to get your prescribed infusion scheduled:

  • Referral and order intake: TwelveStone coordinates with your prescribing neurologist to receive the treatment order and required clinical information.
  • Benefits verification: Our team reviews your insurance benefits to understand coverage requirements and identify applicable next steps before treatment.
  • Prior authorization support: When authorization is required, TwelveStone works with your prescribing office and insurer to submit or coordinate the information needed for coverage review.
  • Financial support navigation: When eligible, our team can help identify manufacturer copay assistance or other available financial support resources.
  • Scheduling and location coordination: Once coverage and treatment requirements are addressed, our team helps schedule care at an appropriate TwelveStone infusion center. If another supported care setting may be appropriate for your prescribed therapy, your care team can discuss available options with you.

TwelveStone operates 30+ infusion centers across the Southeast, giving patients multiple options for community-based treatment. Medication safety is supported by PharmD professionals and experienced infusion clinicians, with care coordinated alongside your prescribing provider.

Organizational Resources

The Guthy-
Jackson Charitable Foundation
 is a voluntary, non-profit organization dedicated to funding basic and clinical research needed to treat and cure Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO).

Learn more

The Sumaira Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to generating global awareness of NMOSD and MOGAD, building communities of support for patients and their caregivers, supporting research and patient advocacy.

Learn more

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals affected by multiple sclerosis and funding research to find a cure for the disease

Learn more

New Patient Resources

Ready to begin? When you contact TwelveStone, have your insurance information and any available details about your prescribing provider and ordered medication nearby. Our team can explain what additional information or documentation is needed to move your referral forward.

Modern TwelveStone Health Partners infusion center waiting area with comfortable seating, private treatment rooms, and welcoming clinical environment

Common Questions About NMOSD Infusion Therapy

Four targeted biologic therapies are FDA-approved for adults with NMOSD who are anti-AQP4 antibody positive: eculizumab (Soliris), ravulizumab (Ultomiris), inebilizumab (Uplizna), and satralizumab (Enspryng). 

AQP4-IgG testing can therefore affect treatment eligibility, but NMOSD diagnosis also considers your symptoms, imaging, and other clinical findings. Patients who are AQP4-IgG negative or who have a different diagnosis such as MOG antibody-associated disease require an individualized treatment plan from their neurology specialist. 

Infusion medications are administered intravenously by healthcare professionals with clinical monitoring, while certain subcutaneous therapies can be administered at home after appropriate training. The available route depends on the medication your neurologist prescribes. Your clinician considers factors such as your diagnosis, medical history, treatment safety, dosing schedule, and ability to follow the prescribed administration plan when selecting a therapy.

Soliris (eculizumab) and Ultomiris (ravulizumab) block complement C5, which increases susceptibility to serious meningococcal infection. Their prescribing requirements call for meningococcal vaccination according to current recommendations, generally at least two weeks before the first dose when possible. 

If treatment must begin sooner, the prescribing clinician follows additional precautions outlined in the medication labeling. Vaccination reduces risk but does not eliminate it, so patients should follow their care team’s instructions about symptoms that require urgent medical attention. 

A switch from rituximab to an FDA-approved NMOSD therapy may be considered in some patients, but the decision should be made by the prescribing neurologist. Your clinician will consider your prior treatment response, current health status, infection risk, medication timing, and other individual factors before changing therapy. If an infusion treatment supported by TwelveStone is prescribed, our team can coordinate the referral, authorization, and scheduling process with your neurology office. 

The cost of NMOSD infusion therapy varies based on the medication prescribed, your insurance benefits, and other plan-specific requirements. Coverage and prior authorization requirements differ by insurer, so TwelveStone completes benefits verification before treatment to clarify applicable coverage and expected patient responsibility. When available and when you are eligible, our team can also help identify manufacturer copay assistance or other financial support resources.

NMOSD, multiple sclerosis (MS), and MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) are distinct neurological disorders, although they can cause overlapping symptoms such as optic neuritis, vision loss, weakness, or numbness. Neurologists distinguish among them using the clinical pattern of symptoms together with tests such as antibody testing and MRI. An accurate diagnosis matters because the long-term treatment approach can differ substantially between these conditions.

If you have a prescribed infusion therapy and need help with referral, insurance verification, authorization, or scheduling, contact TwelveStone Health Partners to speak with a care coordinator.