About rituximab
Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody
Used for
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis
- Pemphigus vulgaris
Usual adult dose
Varies by condition; commonly 375 mg/m² intravenously weekly for lymphoma, or 1,000 mg intravenously twice, two weeks apart, for rheumatoid arthritis.
Usual dose in children
For certain childhood non-Hodgkin lymphomas, commonly 375 mg/m² intravenously per dose; specialist protocols vary.
Common side effects
- Infusion reactions, including fever, chills, rash, or breathing difficulty
- Infections
- Low blood-cell counts
- Nausea or fatigue
Important warnings
- Serious infusion reactions can occur, especially with the first dose.
- Can cause severe infections, including hepatitis B reactivation and rare brain infection.
- Tumour lysis and severe skin reactions have been reported.
- Given by intravenous infusion under specialist supervision.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby; use during pregnancy only when clearly necessary. Effective contraception is advised during treatment and for 12 months afterward.
Breastfeeding
Avoid breastfeeding during treatment and for six months after the last dose.
Interactions
- Live vaccines may cause infection; avoid during treatment and until immune recovery.
- Other immune-suppressing medicines can increase infection risk.
- Some blood pressure medicines may worsen low blood pressure during infusion.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.