Rituxan IV Infusion Therapy

What is Rituxan?

Rituxan (rituximab) is a biologic drug used to treat adults with: 

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (with methotrexate treatment) 
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) (alone or with chemotherapy treatments) 
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (with chemotherapy medicines fludarabine and cyclophosphamide) 
• Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and ​microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) in patients ages 2 years and older (with glucocorticoids) 
• Moderate to severe​ pemphigus vulgaris (PV) 

How does Rituxan work?

rheumatoid arthritis

A common RA treatment is a class of biologic drugs called anti-TNFs, which stands for anti-tumor necrosis factor. Anti-TNFs block the excess production of TNF-alpha proteins, which can cause the joint inflammation associated with RA. Unlike anti-TNFs, B-cell therapy targets a type of white blood cell called a B-cell, which is believed to play a role in the symptoms and joint damage of RA. Currently, Rituxan in combination with methotrexate is the only B-cell therapy approved to treat RA. 

Non-hodgkin's lymphoma & Chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Rituxan targets and attaches to the CD20 protein found on the surface of both NHL and CLL cells and some healthy blood cells. Once attached to the CD20 protein, Rituxan helps your own immune system destroy the cancer cells and/or destroys the cancer cells on its own. 

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) & ​microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)

These are considered to be forms of ANCA-associated vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation), referring to a blood protein called anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody that attacks the body’s own cells and tissues. ANCAs are produced by B-cells and cause another type of white blood cells called neutrophils to inflame blood vessel walls. Rituxan interferes with and decreases the number of B-cells, which is thought to disrupt ANCA production. 

Pemphigus Vulgaris

Rituxan binds specifically to the CD20 protein present only on certain B-cell populations. This helps prevent B-cells from producing antibodies against the molecules in the epidermis that help glue skin cells together, thus reducing the amount of skin lesions and blisters. 

How is Rituxan administered?

Rituxan is administered intravenously. The first treatment may take 4 to 6 hours or more. The next infusions should take less time. Starting with the second treatment cycle, Rituxan infusions will generally take between 3 and 4 hours. The dose amount and frequency depend on the age of the patient and their individual diagnosis. 

Click here to view the pharmaceutical website for Rituxan.

Rituxan patient Assistance program

• GeneTech Access Solutions Rituxan Patient Assistance

This product may be used to treat other conditions not listed. If you are currently using or have a physician’s order to begin using this product for an unlisted condition and you have questions about whether or not we can offer you infusion services, please call our office or fill out a form and a member of our team will reach out to you as soon as possible.

If you’d like more information about the other treatment options we offer, please visit the IVIg infusions or biologic injections pages to learn more.