OBJECTIVES: Off-label use of rituximab to treat MS patients in Sweden is high, 
and the need for long-term safety data may not be met. Our objectives were to 
assess the rate of rituximab prescription in patients with multiple sclerosis in 
Sweden and, in addition, to evaluate the safety of rituximab in a single centre 
for patients with multiple sclerosis.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of the Swedish MS register was performed to study 
the number of MS patients treated with rituximab during the last 6 years. 
Investigation also included a retrospective review of medical files in search 
for possible side effects/adverse events in all adult patients with MS treated 
with rituximab at Uppsala University Hospital.
RESULTS: Presently, in Sweden the rate of rituximab prescriptions in relation to 
other annually started of disease- modifying drugs in MS is 53.5%.
CONCLUSIONS: The share of MS patients in Sweden who are treated with rituximab 
is very high, and also rapidly increasing. Taken into account the off-label use, 
cases with adverse medical conditions that could possibly be related to 
rituximab use should be reported thoroughly.