Generic name:rituximab [ ri-TUX-i-mab ]
Drug classes:Antirheumatics, CD20 monoclonal antibodies
What is Rituxan?
Rituxan is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. It is also used to treat other non-cancer conditions.
Rituxan is an intravenous (IV) infusion given by a healthcare professional. It is a prescription medicine used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat the following conditions:
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia in adults;
rheumatoid arthritis in adults;
granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis (rare disorders that cause inflammation of blood vessels and other tissues in the body) in adults and children 2 years of age and older; or
pemphigus vulgaris (a severe autoimmune reaction that causes blisters and breakdown of the skin and mucous membranes) in adults.
Warnings
Rituxan may cause a serious brain infection that can lead to disability or death. Call your doctor right away if you have problems with speech, thought, vision, or muscle movement. These symptoms may start gradually and get worse quickly.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had hepatitis B. Rituxan can cause this condition to come back or get worse.
Severe skin problems can also occur during treatment with Rituxan. Call your doctor if you have painful skin or mouth sores, or a severe skin rash with blistering, peeling, ...
