Examples

Rituximab is available for intravenous (IV) use.

How It Works

Rituximab belongs to a group of medicines known as monoclonal antibodies. It is designed to recognize specific proteins that are found on the surface of some lymphoma cells. The monoclonal antibody recognizes the protein and locks onto it (like a key in a lock). This may then trigger the body's immune system to attack and destroy the cancer cells.

Why It Is Used

Rituximab is used in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Rituximab is used with ibritumomab as part of targeted radiation therapy.

Rituximab is also used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. It is often used in combination with other medicines such as methotrexate.

How Well It Works

Rituximab is an effective treatment for NHL and CLL. It is used in combination with other chemotherapy medicines.¹

Rituximab can decrease rheumatoid arthritis symptoms such as tender and swollen joints.²

Side Effects

Side effects of rituximab are common and may include:

• Fever and chills. This is more common within the first 1 to 2 hours of the first infusion.
• Swelling of the face, lips, and eyelids (angioedema).
• Flushing.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Skin rash.
• Headache.
• Sore throat.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

In some cases, rituximab has been associated with serious side effects such as breathing difficulty, heart problems, or severe infection. For this reason, the use of rituximab is closely watched.

Rituximab may make heart damage worse in people who already have heart disease. Frequent tests are needed to monitor heart function while taking this medicine.

In some people who have a history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, rituximab may cause the virus to begin multiplying again, leading to severe liver problems. These people should have tests to monitor liver function during and for several months following rituximab treatment. Also, people who have a high risk of HBV infection should be screened before starting treatment with rituximab to make sure an HBV infection is not present.

Rituximab may cause birth defects. Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or wish to become pregnant or father a child while you are taking it.

Rituximab has only been approved for use by adults. There is no specific information comparing use of rituximab in children.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

References

Citations

1. Coiffier B, et al. (2002). CHOP chemotherapy plus rituximab compared with CHOP alone in elderly patients with diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma. New England Journal of Medicine, 346(4): 235–242.
2. Abramowicz M (2006). Rituximab (Rituxan) for rheumatoid arthritis. Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics, 48(1233): 34–35.