About RITUXAN

RITUXAN and NHL Overview

RITUXAN is not chemotherapy. RITUXAN is a targeted therapy that works with chemotherapy. Together, they find and attack the B-cells where non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) starts. And because they work to control NHL in different ways, RITUXAN and chemotherapy may work very well together.

RITUXAN is an effective part of treatment for many patients with NHL. RITUXAN may be used to treat 2 main types of NHL.

For low-grade or follicular (indolent) NHL, RITUXAN may be given:

As an initial treatment

RITUXAN with CVP chemotherapy is used to treat follicular NHL.

As an ongoing therapy

RITUXAN may be given by itself for low-grade NHL for up to 2 years after successful initial treatment with CVP chemotherapy.

As a maintenance therapy

RITUXAN may be given by itself for follicular NHL for up to 2 years after initial treatment with RITUXAN plus chemotherapy results in a partial or complete remission.

For treatment upon relapse

If the disease returns, RITUXAN may be taken alone to treat low-grade or follicular NHL.

For DLBCL (aggressive) NHL, RITUXAN is given:

As an initial treatment

Along with CHOP chemotherapy.

RITUXAN can cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including:

  • Infusion reactions
  • Kidney problems
  • Severe skin and mouth reactions
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation
  • Serious infections
  • Heart problems
  • Stomach and serious bowel problems

Common side effects during RITUXAN treatment include:

  • Infusion reactions
  • Chills
  • Infections
  • Body aches
  • Tiredness
  • Low white blood cells

More information about these side effects.

Other rare, but serious, side effects can occur. Be sure to talk to your doctor about all of the side effects that are possible.

 
 

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This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor. Discuss with your doctor any questions you have about your medical condition or your treatment.


Indications

RITUXAN® (Rituximab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with:

  • Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with first-line chemotherapy and, in patients achieving a complete or partial response to RITUXAN in combination with chemotherapy, as single-agent maintenance therapy
  • Non-progressing (including stable disease), low-grade, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL, as a single agent, after first-line CVP chemotherapy
  • Previously untreated diffuse large B-cell, CD20-positive NHL in combination with CHOP or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens
  • Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent

People with serious infections should not receive RITUXAN.

Important Safety Information

  • RITUXAN can cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including infusion reactions, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS; kidney failure due to fast breakdown of cancer cells), severe skin and mouth reactions, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML; a rare, serious brain infection).
  • RITUXAN has also been associated with serious and life-threatening side effects, including the return of active hepatitis B virus infection with sudden and serious liver problems including liver failure, and death, other serious infections that can lead to death, heart problems, kidney problems, and stomach and serious bowel problems including blockage and tears in the bowel that can sometimes lead to death.
  • The most common side effects of RITUXAN seen in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were infusion reactions, fever, chills, low white blood cells, infections, body aches, and tiredness. Before starting treatment with RITUXAN it is important to talk to your doctor about your medical history.
  • Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects with RITUXAN. For more information, ask your doctor.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.

CVP=cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone or prednisolone; CHOP=cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone.