Key facts about Rituxan
What is Rituxan?
Rituxan is the brand name for rituximab IV infusion.
What dosages is Rituxan available in?
Rituxan is available as a 100 mg/10 mL (10 mg/mL) and 500 mg/50 mL (10 mg/mL) single-dose vial.
What is Rituxan used for?
Rituxan is monoclonal antibody that is used to treat:
Blood cancers
- Certain types of CD20-positive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) in adults and children ages 6 months and older
- CD20-positive chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in adults
Autoimmune conditions
- Moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults
Granulomatosis with polyangitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangitis (MPA) in adults and children ages 2 years and older - Moderate to severe pemphigus vulgaris in adults
How does Rituxan work?
Rituxan is a monoclonal antibody. It targets specific immune cells called B cells that can be involved in a range of different health conditions. For example, B cells sometimes turn into cancer cells. Other times, they become overly active and cause autoimmune conditions. Rituxan works by attaching a specific protein on the B cells called CD20. When it does so, it signals to the body to attack and kill that cell. As a result, these abnormal or overly active B cells can’t grow, spread, or work as well.
How do I take Rituxan?
Your provider will determine your dose of Rituxan based on your body surface area (BSA) in m². This medication is typically given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or infusion clinic setting. Your provider might also give you other anticancer medications along with Rituxan.
Is it safe for me to take Rituxan?
Rituxan is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you.
Rituxan Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Rituxan:
- Fever
- Lower white blood cell counts
- Chills
- Infection
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Night sweats
- Rash
Rituxan Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Rituxan. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Infusion-related reaction: swelling, trouble breathing, chest pain, low blood pressure, red skin
- Serious skin reaction: painful blisters, skin wounds, peeling skin, fever, sore throat, body aches
- Tears in the gut: sudden and severe stomach pain, fever, chills, and nausea or vomiting that won’t go away
- Infection: fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, very fast heartbeat, severe tiredness
- Tumor lysis syndrome: seizures, hallucinations, nausea, tiredness, no appetite, dark-colored urine, muscle cramps, numbness
- Serious heart problems: tiredness, weakness, dizziness, feeling faint, trouble breathing, pressure on the chest, pounding heart, irregular heart beat, sweating, feeling anxious, nausea
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Rituxan
The following medications may interact with Rituxan:
- Renal toxicity when used in combination with cisplatin
Who makes Rituxan?
Genentech, Inc.
Is Rituxan safe in pregnancy?
Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks to your or your child’s unborn baby if you or your child receive Rituxan during pregnancy. Females who are able to become pregnant: Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test to see if you or your child are pregnant before starting
Rituxan. You or your child should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with Rituxan and for 12 months after your or your child’s last dose of Rituxan. Talk to your healthcare provider about effective birth control.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you or your child become pregnant or think that you or your child are pregnant during treatment with Rituxan.
