Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 25, 2022.
Fatal infusion reactions may occur within 24 hours of rituximab infusion; approximately 80% of fatal reactions occurred with the first infusion. Monitor patients and discontinue rituximab-abbs infusion for severe reactions. Severe and potentially fatal mucocutaneous reactions can occur. Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) may occur with some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, or death. Screen patients for HBV infection prior to treatment. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), including fatal PML, can also occur .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Truxima
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent
Pharmacologic Class: Rituximab
Uses for rituximab-abbs
Rituximab-abbs injection is used alone or together with other cancer medicines to treat a type of cancer called non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). It helps the immune system destroy cancer cells. Rituximab-abbs is a monoclonal antibody.
Rituximab-abbs injection is used together with other cancer medicines (eg, fludarabine and cyclophosphamide) to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Rituximab-abbs injection is used together with methotrexate to treat the symptoms of moderate-to-severely-active rheumatoid arthritis. It helps to keep joint damage from getting worse after other medicines (eg, adalimumab, etanercept, or infliximab) did not work well. The use of rituximab-abbs injection in rheumatoid arthritis without previous treatment with these medicines is not recommended.
Rituximab-abbs injection is used together with steroids to treat granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). These are immune disorders that cause blood vessels to be inflamed.
Rituximab-abbs is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
Before using rituximab-abbs
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For rituximab-abbs, the following should..
