About RITUXAN
Targeting Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) With RITUXAN
RITUXAN is an immunotherapy that has been administrated to thousands of patients worldwide. Immunotherapy uses your body's immune system to help fight cancer. This type of therapy targets certain types of cells and helps the immune system destroy them. RITUXAN specifically targets CD20-positive B-cells-the cells involved in some types of NHL.
Healthy B-cells help your body fight infection. But in NHL, B-cells become cancerous and form tumors. RITUXAN targets B-cells in tumors. It also targets healthy B-cells. But it leaves most other types of cells alone. RITUXAN may be used on its own or in combination with chemotherapy. Side effects such as fever, chills, and shaking may occur with immunotherapy. If it is used along with another treatment, you may experience side effects from both.
One Way RITUXAN May Work
RITUXAN attaches to a certain marker, called CD20, on the surface of most B-cells.
These are signals for the immune system to destroy those B-cells.
RITUXAN® can cause serious side effects, some of which can be life-threatening, including: Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), infusion reactions, Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS), and severe skin reactions. Other serious and life-threatening side effects with RITUXAN include: hepatitis B virus reactivation, heart problems, infections, and stomach and bowel problems. Common side effects during RITUXAN infusions include: fever, headache, chills and shakes, nausea, itching, hives, cough, sneezing, and throat irritation or tightness.
Tell your doctor about any side effects that bother you or that do not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects with RITUXAN. Ask your doctor for more information.
How RITUXAN Can Be Used to Treat Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
RITUXAN can be used in different ways to treat these types of NHL:
- Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent
- Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with CVP* chemotherapy
- 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
*CVP: cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone or prednisolone
†CHOP: cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone
INDICATIONS
RITUXAN® (rituximab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with:
- Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent
- Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with CVP chemotherapy
- 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
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
RITUXAN can cause serious side effects, some of which can be life-threatening, including: Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), infusion reactions, Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS), and severe skin reactions. Other serious and life-threatening side effects with RITUXAN include: hepatitis B virus reactivation, heart problems, infections, and stomach and bowel problems. Common side effects during RITUXAN infusions include: fever, headache, chills and shakes, nausea, itching, hives, cough, sneezing, and throat irritation or tightness.
Tell your doctor about any side effects that bother you or that do not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects with RITUXAN. Ask your doctor for more information.
Please read the Medication Guide in HTML or PDF versions for more information.
