Rituxan Hycela is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s FDA-approved to treat certain forms of the following types of cancer* in adults:

* For details on these conditions, please see the “Rituxan Hycela uses” section below.

Rituxan Hycela ingredients and form

Rituxan Hycela contains two active ingredients: rituximab and hyaluronidase. Rituximab is an antibody (a kind of protein) used to fight certain cancers. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme (a different type of protein) that helps rituximab be absorbed after it’s injected under the skin.

Rituxan Hycela comes as a liquid solution that’s given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection directly under your skin). A healthcare provider will inject the drug in your belly over 5 to 7 minutes.

Rituxan Hycela is available in two strengths:

  • 1,400 mg of rituximab/23,400 units of hyaluronidase
  • 1,600 mg of rituximab/26,800 units of hyaluronidase

How often you receive the medication depends on which condition is being treated. For more information, see the “Rituxan Hycela dosage” section below.

FDA approval

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Rituxan Hycela in 2017.

Effectiveness

For information on the effectiveness of Rituxan Hycela, see the “Rituxan Hycela uses” section below.

Rituxan Hycela is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Rituxan Hycela contains two active ingredients: rituximab and hyaluronidase.

You may wonder how Rituxan Hycela compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Rituxan Hycela and Rituxan are alike and different.

Ingredients

Rituxan Hycela contains two active ingredients: rituximab and hyaluronidase. Rituximab is an antibody (a kind of protein) used to fight certain cancers. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme (a different type of protein) that helps rituximab be absorbed after it’s injected under the skin.

Rituxan contains one of the same active ingredients as Rituxan Hycela: rituximab.

Uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved both Rituxan Hycela and Rituxan to treat certain forms of the following types of cancer* in adults:

* For details on these conditions, please see the “Rituxan Hycela uses” section below.

Rituxan is also FDA-approved to treat the following conditions:

Drug forms and administration

Rituxan Hycela comes as a liquid solution that’s given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection directly under your skin). A healthcare provider will inject the drug in your belly over 5 to 7 minutes.

Rituxan also comes as a liquid solution. But it’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. This is an injection into your vein that’s given over a period of time. Rituxan infusions take several hours.

To use Rituxan Hycela, you first must have received at least one full infusion of rituximab (the active ingredient in Rituxan).

Side effects and risks

Rituxan Hycela and Rituxan both contain rituximab. Therefore, these medications can cause very similar side effects, but some different ones as well. Below are examples of these side effects.

Mild side effects

These lists contain up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with Rituxan Hycela, with Rituxan, or with both Rituxan Hycela and Rituxan (when taken individually). The side effects have been noted across the different conditions the drugs are approved to treat.

Serious side effects

These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Rituxan Hycela, with Rituxan, or with both drugs (when taken individually).

1. Before you receive your first dose of Rituxan Hycela, you’ll need to have at least one infusion of rituximab (Rituxan). This is to make sure that you don’t have an allergic reaction to rituximab, which is an ingredient in both Rituxan and Rituxan Hycela. For more information, see the “Common questions about Rituxan Hycela” section below.

2. Rituxan has boxed warnings for these side effects. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

3.Rituxan Hycela has boxed warnings for these side effects. For more information, see “FDA warnings” at the beginning of this article.

Effectiveness

Rituxan Hycela and Rituxan have different FDA-approved uses, but they’re both used to treat FL, DLBCL, and CLL.

The use of Rituxan Hycela and Rituxan in treating these conditions has been directly compared in clinical studies.

Follicular lymphoma study

A clinical study looked at people with FL that hadn’t been treated. Each person received an infusion of Rituxan. Then they had seven cycles of either Rituxan Hycela or Rituxan. Each person also received chemotherapy treatment called R-CHOP therapy. It included the drugs cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone.

  • By the end of the study, 84% of people who took Rituxan Hycela and 85% of people who took Rituxan saw some response to therapy. This means the level of cancer cells decreased to some extent.
  • And 32% of people who took either drug saw a complete response to therapy. This means that the cancer cells decreased to a level that couldn’t be detected in blood tests.

People who had a response to therapy after 8 weeks went on to receive maintenance treatments. They received Rituxan Hycela or Rituxan every 8 weeks over 24 months.

  • FL didn’t get worse in 76% of people who had Rituxan Hycela maintenance treatments.
  • In comparison, FL didn’t get worse in 72% of people who had Rituxan maintenance treatments.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma study

A clinical study looked at people with DLBCL that hadn’t been treated. Each person received an infusion of Rituxan. Then they had seven cycles of Rituxan Hycela or Rituxan. Each person also received chemotherapy treatment called R-CHOP therapy. It included the drugs cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone.

  • By the end of the study, 47% of people who took Rituxan Hycela and 42% of people who took Rituxan saw a complete response to therapy. This means that the cancer cells decreased to a level that couldn’t be detected in blood tests.
  • In addition, DLBCL didn’t get worse in 73% of people who received Rituxan Hycela. This was compared with 77% of people who took Rituxan.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia study

A different study looked at the use of Rituxan Hycela in people with CLL. Each person received an infusion of Rituxan. Then they had five cycles of either Rituxan Hycela or Rituxan. Each person also received chemotherapy treatment with the drugs fludarabine and cyclophosphamide. This is also called FC therapy.

  • By the end of the study, 85% of people who took Rituxan Hycela and 81% of people who took Rituxan saw some response to therapy. This means the level of cancer cells decreased to some extent.
  • Also, 26% of people who took Rituxan Hycela saw a complete response to therapy, compared with 33% of people who took Rituxan. A complete response to therapy means that the cancer cells decreased to a level that couldn’t be detected in blood tests.

Costs

Rituxan Hycela and Rituxan prices will vary depending on your prescribed dose. The actual cost you’ll pay for either drug depends on your insurance plan and your location.

Generics or biosimilars

Many typical drugs that are made from chemicals have generic versions. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. It often costs less than the brand-name version.

However, Rituxan Hycela and Rituxan are both brand-name biologic drugs, which are created from parts of living organisms. Instead of generics, biologic drugs have biosimilars. A biosimilar is a drug that’s similar to a biologic drug.

Like generics, biosimilars often cost less than the brand-name biologic they’re based on.

Rituxan Hycela has no biosimilar versions. Rituxan has two biosimilar versions: Ruxience and Truxima.

Before you start your Rituxan Hycela treatment, you’ll need to receive rituximab (Rituxan) and premedications. Here’s some information on the process.

Rituximab infusion

The first part of your Rituxan Hycela treatment is to receive a drug called rituximab. This is one of the active ingredients in Rituxan Hycela. Rituximab is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, which is an injection into your vein that’s given over a period of time.

You’ll need at least one full infusion of rituximab. The first infusion can take more than 6 hours. Additional infusions can take about 3 to 4 hours. Infusion times may vary based on your dose and the condition you’re being treated for.

The infusion is given to see if you’re allergic to rituximab. If you do have an allergy to the drug, it’s easy for the healthcare provider to stop the infusion and treat you. Your doctor may then recommend a different medication. If you’re not allergic, then you’ll be able to be treated with Rituxan Hycela. (To learn more, see the information on infusions in “Common questions about Rituxan Hycela.”)

Even though you’re receiving rituximab, it’s considered the first dose of your Rituxan Hycela treatment.

Premedications

Before you have the rituximab infusion, you’ll likely receive acetaminophen (Tylenol) and an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Or your doctor may give you a type of steroid called a glucocorticoid.

These drugs are called premedications. They help prevent infusion and injection reactions such as redness, pain, and itching when you receive rituximab and Rituxan Hycela. (For more information, see the “Injection reaction” section below.)

Rituxan Hycela injection

When it’s time for the second dose of your treatment, a healthcare provider will give you Rituxan Hycela as a subcutaneous injection. This is an injection directly under your skin. They’ll inject the drug in your belly over 5 to 7 minutes. And they’ll likely monitor you for any injection reactions at least 15 minutes afterward.

Before you have a Rituxan Hycela injection, you’ll likely take the premedications mentioned above.

How often Rituxan Hycela is given

How often you receive the medication depends on which condition is being treated. For more information, see the “Rituxan Hycela dosage” section below.

To help make sure that you don’t miss an injection appointment, try setting a reminder on your phone. You can also try putting your treatment schedule on a calendar.

Rituxan Hycela can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Rituxan Hycela. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

For more information on the possible side effects of Rituxan Hycela, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to report to the FDA a side effect you’ve had with Rituxan Hycela, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Mild side effects of Rituxan Hycela can include:*

If these side effects become severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* This is a partial list of mild side effects from Rituxan Hycela. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or visit Rituxan Hycela’s Medication Guide.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Rituxan Hycela aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

  • Tumor lysis syndrome (a fast breakdown of cancer cells that can cause kidney failure or an abnormal heart rhythm). Symptoms can include:
    • nausea or vomiting
    • fatigue
  • Heart problems such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and heart attack. Symptoms can include:
    • dizziness
    • feeling lightheaded
    • pressure or tightness in the chest
  • Reduced kidney function. Symptoms can include:
    • trouble urinating
    • feeling of retaining water
    • swelling of the hands or feet
  • Blockage or tear in the bowels (large or small intestine). Symptoms can include:
    • pain in your abdomen (belly)
    • repeated vomiting

Other serious side effects, explained in more detail below in “Side effect details,” include:

* Rituxan Hycela has boxed warnings for these side effects. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more information, see “FDA warnings” at the beginning of this article.

Side effect details

You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug. Here’s some detail on several of the side effects this drug may cause.

Allergic reaction

An allergic reaction can occur after taking Rituxan Hycela.

Clinical studies looked at allergic reactions in people who took Rituxan Hycela for follicular lymphoma (FL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Of these people, 16% had some sort allergic reaction within 24 hours of receiving their first dose. The reactions were at the injection site (the area of their body where they received the injection). It wasn’t reported how often allergic reactions occurred across all studies in people who took rituximab (Rituxan).

Allergic reactions occurred less often when people received their next dose. Only about 5% of people had an allergic reaction after their second dose of Rituxan Hycela. It wasn’t reported how often allergic reactions occurred across all studies in people who took a second dose of rituximab.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction

Symptoms of an allergic reaction at the injection site can include:

  • pain
  • rash
  • swelling of the injection site
  • hardness
  • bleeding
  • itchiness

The type and severity of allergic reactions can vary a lot from person to person. There is no way to predict who will experience an allergic reaction, and which symptoms of an allergic reaction they will experience.

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • hives (red, itchy welts)
  • low blood pressure
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing
  • weakness
  • feeling like your heart is racing or fluttering
  • chest pain
  • fever
  • chills

Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Rituxan Hycela. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Infections

Infections can occur during treatment with Rituxan Hycela. In clinical studies, between 46% and 56% of people who took Rituxan Hycela developed an infection. This was compared with 41% to 49% of people who took rituximab. These infections included serious bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. In rare cases, these infections resulted in death.

Infections are common with Rituxan Hycela because the drug can weaken your immune system. And this can reduce your ability to fight infections. Examples of these infections include the common cold, flu, pneumonia (lung infection), bronchitis (swelling of the airways), and urinary tract infections.

It’s also possible that a virus you had in the past could become active again while you take Rituxan Hycela due to your weakened immune system. In clinical studies, viruses that caused certain infections became active again. These infections included shingles, chickenpox, West Nile virus, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. (For more about hepatitis B, see the “Hepatitis B virus reactivation” section below.”)

Infection symptoms

Symptoms of an infection can include:

If you have a fever or symptoms of a cold or the flu while using Rituxan Hycela, call your doctor right away. They could be signs of a serious infection.

Injection reaction

An injection reaction may occur after receiving a dose of Rituxan Hycela. In clinical studies, 34% of people who received Rituxan Hycela for FL or DLBCL had injection reactions. And 44% of people who took Rituxan Hycela for CLL had injection reactions. It’s not known how often injection reactions occurred across all studies in people who took rituximab.

The symptoms of reactions that can occur at the site of injection include:

  • pain
  • swelling
  • warmth or redness
  • bleeding
  • itching
  • rash

Infusion reaction

Before you receive Rituxan Hycela, you’ll have an intravenous (IV) infusion of rituximab. This is an injection into your vein that’s given over a period of time. An infusion reaction may occur when you’re given rituximab.

Severe infusion reaction symptoms include:

  • fever
  • chills
  • trouble breathing
  • tense muscles
  • low blood pressure
  • itchiness all over your body
  • swelling of the lips

In rare cases, infusion reactions can result in death.

Treatment for reactions

To help prevent any injection or infusion reactions, you’ll likely receive premedications before your rituximab and Rituxan Hycela doses. These drugs can include acetaminophen (Tylenol), an antihistamine like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and a type of steroid called a glucocorticoid.A healthcare provider will also monitor you for any reactions for 15 minutes after your doses.

If you have any questions about injection or infusion reactions while taking Rituxan Hycela, talk with your doctor.

Severe reactions of the skin or mucous membranes

Rituxan Hycela can cause severe reactions in certain areas of the skin and mucous membranes (thin linings of skin).* After the drug was approved, there were reports of these skin and mucous reactions. But it’s not known how often these reactions occurred in people who took Rituxan Hycela or a different medication.

Areas of the body that can be affected include the lips, nostrils, eyelids, vagina, foreskin of the penis, and anus.

Symptoms of these reactions can include:

  • blisters
  • painful sores
  • peeling skin
  • bleeding
  • rash
  • pustules that leak

In some cases, this side effect can even cause death. If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, tell your doctor right away. They could be signs of a severe reaction, and your doctor will likely have you stop taking Rituxan Hycela.

* Rituxan Hycela has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more information, see “FDA warnings” at the beginning of this article.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation

Rituxan Hycela can cause reactivation of the hepatitis B virus.* This means that if you’ve had the hepatitis B virus in the past, taking Rituxan Hycela may cause the hepatitis B virus to become active again. But it’s not known how often this side effect occurred in people who took the drug or a different medication.

Hepatitis B reactivation can lead to liver damage and liver failure. And in rare cases, it can lead to death. Symptoms of hepatitis B can include:

  • tiredness
  • yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes

If you notice these symptoms, tell your doctor right away. They’ll also test you for hepatitis B before you start taking Rituxan Hycela and throughout your treatment.

* Rituxan Hycela has a boxed warning for hepatitis B virus reactivation. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For more information, see “FDA warnings” at the beginning of this article.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Rituxan Hycela can lead to a dangerous brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).* In clinical trials of CLL, R-CHOP chemotherapy was given with either Rituxan Hycela or rituximab. (R-CHOP involves using the drugs cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone.) One person from the Rituxan Hycela group developed PML and died as a result. There were no reported cases of PML in people from the rituximab group.

It’s not known how often PML occurred in people with FL or DLBCL who took Rituxan Hycela.

Rituxan Hycela can weaken your immune system, which can increase your risk for infections such as PML.

Symptoms of PML can include:

  • confusion
  • dizziness
  • loss of balance
  • trouble walking
  • trouble talking
  • decreased strength or weakness on one side of the body
  • vision problems

If you start to develop any these symptoms, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely have you stop taking Rituxan Hycela. Your doctor may also adjust your use of other medications.

* Rituxan Hycela has a boxed warning for PML. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more information, see “FDA warnings” at the beginning of this article.

The Rituxan Hycela dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Rituxan Hycela to treat
  • other medical conditions you may have
  • any side effects you experience while taking Rituxan Hycela
  • whether you’ve received treatment for your condition before

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Rituxan Hycela comes as a liquid solution that’s given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection directly under your skin). A healthcare provider will inject the drug in your belly over 5 to 7 minutes.

Rituxan Hycela is available in two strengths:

  • 1,400 mg of rituximab/23,400 units of hyaluronidase
  • 1,600 mg of rituximab/26,800 units of hyaluronidase

Dosage for follicular lymphoma

Before you start your Rituxan Hycela treatment for follicular lymphoma (FL), you’ll need to receive rituximab (Rituxan) and premedications. Here’s some information on the process.

Rituximab infusion

The first part of your Rituxan Hycela treatment is to receive a drug called rituximab. This is one of the active ingredients in Rituxan Hycela. Rituximab is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, which is an injection into your vein that’s given over a period of time. Rituximab infusions take several hours.

Even though you’re receiving rituximab, it’s considered the first dose of your Rituxan Hycela treatment.

To use Rituxan Hycela, you must have received at least one full infusion of rituximab first.

Premedications

Before you have the rituximab infusion, you’ll likely receive acetaminophen (Tylenol) and an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Or your doctor may give you a type of steroid called a glucocorticoid.

These drugs are called premedications. They help prevent infusion and injection reactions such as redness, pain, and itching when you receive rituximab and Rituxan Hycela. (For more information, see the “Injection reaction” section above.)

Rituxan Hycela injection

When it’s time for the second dose of your treatment, a healthcare provider will give you Rituxan Hycela as a subcutaneous injection. This is an injection directly under your skin. They’ll inject the drug in your belly over 5 to 7 minutes. And they’ll likely monitor you for any injection reactions at least 15 minutes afterward.

Before you have a Rituxan Hycela injection, you’ll likely take the premedications mentioned above.

Dosage for follicular lymphoma that’s relapsed or refractory

Rituxan Hycela is used on its own for two kinds of follicular lymphoma (FL):

  • relapsed FL: cancer that comes back after going away for a time
  • refractory FL: cancer that doesn’t get better with treatment

After your first infusion dose of rituximab, you’ll receive an injection of 1,400 mg/23,400 units of Rituxan Hycela once a week for either 3 or 7 weeks.

If you need to have another cycle of treatment, you’ll receive an injection of 1,400 mg/23,400 units of Rituxan Hycela once a week for 3 weeks.

Dosage for follicular lymphoma when used with chemotherapy

Rituxan Hycela is also used with chemotherapy for follicular lymphoma (FL) that hasn’t been treated.

Before you start your Rituxan Hycela treatment for FL, you’ll need to receive rituximab and premedications. See the “Rituximab infusion” and “Premedications” sections above for details.

Your infusion dose of rituximab is considered the start of cycle 1 of your treatment. A cycle lasts 21 days.

Then you’ll receive an injection of 1,400 mg/23,400 units of Rituxan Hycela on day 1 of your second treatment cycle, which will also include chemotherapy. Your doctor may have you repeat this for up to seven cycles.

If blood tests show that the cancer cells are decreasing in number, your doctor may switch you to maintenance treatment.

In maintenance treatment, you’ll receive an injection of 1,400 mg/23,400 units of Rituxan Hycela every 8 weeks for 12 doses. You won’t receive chemotherapy during this time.

Dosage for follicular lymphoma after treatment with chemotherapy

Rituxan Hycela is also for follicular lymphoma that’s non-progressing. This means that you’ve tried other therapies, and your cancer hasn’t gotten better or worse. You’ll receive Rituxan Hycela after you’ve tried chemotherapy with the drugs cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone.

You’ll first complete six to eight cycles of chemotherapy and one rituximab infusion along with premedications. (See the “Rituximab infusion” and “Premedications” sections above for details on the infusion and premedications.) Then you’ll receive an injection of 1,400 mg/23,400 units of Rituxan Hycela once a week for 3 weeks.

Your doctor may have you keep taking Rituxan Hycela. If you do, you’ll keep receiving the drug once a week for 4 weeks after a 6-month break. This can go on for up to 16 doses, or about 2 years.

Dosage for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Here’s the dosage information when taking Rituxan Hycela for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Before you start your Rituxan Hycela treatment for DLBCL, you’ll need to receive rituximab and premedications. See the “Dosage for follicular lymphoma” section above for details.

Your infusion dose of rituximab is considered the start of cycle 1 of your treatment. A cycle lasts 21 days.

Then you’ll receive an injection of 1,400 mg/23,400 units of Rituxan Hycela on day 1 of your second treatment cycle, which will also include chemotherapy. Your doctor may have you repeat this for up to seven cycles.

The chemotherapy treatment is called R-CHOP therapy, and it includes the following drugs:

  • rituximab
  • cyclophosphamide
  • doxorubicin
  • vincristine
  • prednisone

Before you’re given Rituxan Hycela as a part of R-CHOP, you’ll likely receive the premedications mentioned in the “Dosage for follicular lymphoma” section above.

Dosage for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Before you start your Rituxan Hycela treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), you’ll need to receive rituximab (Rituxan) and premedications. See the “Dosage for follicular lymphoma” section above for details.

Your infusion dose of rituximab is considered the start of cycle 1 of your treatment. A cycle lasts 28 days.

Then you’ll receive an injection of 1,600 mg/26,800 units of Rituxan Hycela on day 1 of your second treatment cycle, which will also include chemotherapy. Your doctor may have you repeat this for up to five cycles.

The chemotherapy drugs you’ll be taking are called fludarabine and cyclophosphamide. This is sometimes known as FC therapy.

Before you’re given Rituxan Hycela and FC therapy, you’ll likely receive the premedications mentioned in the “Dosage for follicular lymphoma” section above.

What if I miss an appointment for an injection?

If you miss an appointment for an injection, call your doctor’s office as soon as you remember. The staff can reschedule you and adjust the timing of other visits, if necessary.

To help make sure that you don’t miss an appointment, try setting a reminder on your phone. You can also write your treatment schedule on a calendar.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

Rituxan Hycela is sometimes meant to be used as a long-term treatment. You and your doctor will determine the right amount of time you should take the drug. This is based on how well your condition responds to Rituxan Hycela and any potential side effects you have.

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Rituxan Hycela, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is used to treat a different condition.

Alternatives for follicular lymphoma

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat follicular lymphoma include:

  • bendamustine (Bendeka)
  • cyclophosphamide
  • doxorubicin
  • vincristine
  • prednisone
  • yttrium-90 ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin)
  • lenalidomide (Revlimid)

To make these drugs as effective as possible, many of them are often used together as part of a chemotherapy treatment plan.

Alternatives for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat diffuse large B-cell lymphoma include:

  • cyclophosphamide
  • doxorubicin
  • vincristine
  • prednisone
  • etoposide (Etopophos)
  • ibrutinib (Imbruvica)
  • lenalidomide (Revlimid)

To make these drugs as effective as possible, many of them are often used together as part of a chemotherapy treatment plan.

Alternatives for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia indication include:

  • acalabrutinib (Calquence)
  • alemtuzumab (Campath)
  • ofatumumab (Arzerra)
  • bendamustine (Bendeka)
  • prednisone
  • chlorambucil (Leukeran)
  • ibrutinib (Imbruvica)
  • fludarabine
  • cyclophosphamide

To make these drugs as effective as possible, many of them are often used together as part of a chemotherapy treatment plan.

Like Rituxan (above), the drug Zevalin has uses similar to those of Rituxan Hycela. Here’s a comparison of how Rituxan Hycela and Zevalin are alike and different.

Ingredients

Rituxan Hycela contains two active ingredients: rituximab and hyaluronidase. Rituximab is an antibody (a kind of protein) used to fight certain cancers. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme (a different type of protein) that helps rituximab be absorbed after it’s injected under the skin.

Zevalin contains the active drug ibritumomab tiuxetan, which is an antibody. This antibody is linked with a Y90 radiation molecule. The antibody finds and attaches to cancer cells. Once it’s attached, the radiation kills the cancer cell.

Uses

Rituxan Hycela and Zevalin are both approved to treat follicular lymphoma* in adults. With this condition, cancer develops in white blood cells. It’s a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Rituxan Hycela is also approved to treat certain forms of the following types of cancer* in adults:

* For details on these conditions, please see the “Rituxan Hycela uses” section below.

Zevalin is also approved to treat other types of NHL.

Drug forms and administration

Rituxan Hycela comes as a liquid solution that’s given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection directly under your skin). A healthcare provider will inject the drug in your belly over 5 to 7 minutes.

Zevalin comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. This is an injection into your vein that’s given over a period of time. Zevalin infusions take about 10 minutes.

Both Rituxan Hycela and Zevalin are used as a part of a treatment plan that includes rituximab (Rituxan).

Side effects and risks

Rituxan Hycela and Zevalin both contain drugs that fight cancer cells. Therefore, these medications can cause very similar side effects, but some different ones as well. Below are examples of these side effects.

Mild side effects

These lists contain up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with Rituxan Hycela, with Zevalin, or with both drugs (when taken individually).

  • Can occur with Rituxan Hycela:
    • redness at the injection site
    • hair loss
    • anemia (low level of red blood cells)
  • Can occur with Zevalin:
  • Can occur with both Rituxan Hycela and Zevalin:
    • nausea or vomiting
    • blood disorders such as neutropenia (low level of certain white blood cells) and anemia (low level of red blood cells)

Serious side effects

These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Rituxan Hycela, with Zevalin, or with both drugs (when taken individually).

1.Rituxan Hycela has boxed warnings for these side effects. A boxed warning is the most serious warning FDA. For more information, see “FDA warnings” at the beginning of this article.

2. Zevalin has boxed warnings for these side effects.

Effectiveness

Rituxan Hycela and Zevalin have different FDA-approved uses, but they’re both used to treat FL. These drugs are often used together to treat FL.

These drugs haven’t been directly compared in clinical studies, but studies have found both Rituxan Hycela and Zevalin to be effective for treating FL.

Costs

Costs of Rituxan Hycela and Zevalin will vary depending on your treatment plan. The actual price you’ll pay for either drug depends on your insurance plan and your location.

Rituxan Hycela and Zevalin are both brand-name drugs. There are currently no generic forms of either drug. Brand-name medications usually cost more than generics.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Rituxan Hycela to treat certain conditions.

Rituxan Hycela for follicular lymphoma

Rituxan Hycela is FDA-approved to treat certain forms of follicular lymphoma (FL).

Rituxan Hycela for follicular lymphoma that’s relapsed or refractory

Rituxan Hycela is used on its own to treat FL that’s relapsed or refractory. “Relapsed” means that the cancer came back after going away for a time. And “refractory” refers to cancer that didn’t get better with treatment.

Rituxan Hycela for follicular lymphoma when used with chemotherapy

Rituxan Hycela is also used for FL that hasn’t been treated before. The drug is used with chemotherapy as the first treatment.

Rituxan Hycela for follicular lymphoma after treatment with chemotherapy and rituximab

In addition, Rituxan Hycela is used in people who have tried rituximab (Rituxan) with chemotherapy and had a partial or complete response. A partial response means the level of cancer cells decreased to some extent. And a complete response means the cancer cells decreased to a level that couldn’t be detected in blood tests.

Rituxan Hycela is used on its own to help maintain the response or keep the level of cancer cells down.

Rituxan Hycela for follicular lymphoma after treatment with chemotherapy

Finally, Rituxan Hycela is approved for FL that isn’t getting worse. After the chemotherapy drugs cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone have been tried as the first treatment, Rituxan Hycela is used by itself.

Follicular lymphoma explained

FL is a type of cancer that affects the blood. Specifically, it’s a kind of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that occurs when certain white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control. Symptoms of FL include feeling tired and having swollen lymph nodes.

Treatment for follicular lymphoma

FL is typically treated with radiation and chemotherapy, depending on the severity of the disease. Treatments often use a combination of drugs, including chemotherapies and rituximab. The other drugs can include:

  • cyclophosphamide
  • doxorubicin
  • vincristine
  • prednisone

The treatment is sometimes called R-CHOP or CHOP.

After you finish your cycles of chemotherapy, you may receive Rituxan Hycela once every 8 weeks for 2 years.

Once your FL is treated, you may go into remission. This is a period of time in which you are free from cancer signs or symptoms.

However, it’s possible that the FL will become relapsed or refractory. In these cases, your doctor may treat you with the same medications as before or recommend a different treatment plan.

Effectiveness

A clinical study looked at people with FL that hadn’t been treated. Each person received an infusion of rituximab (Rituxan). Then they had seven cycles of either Rituxan Hycela or rituximab. Each person also received CHOP therapy in addition to Rituxan or Rituxan Hycela.

  • By the end of the study, 84% of people who took Rituxan Hycela and 85% of people who took rituximab saw some response to treatment. This means the level of cancer cells decreased to some extent.
  • And 32% of people who took either drug saw a complete response to treatment. This means that the cancer cells decreased to a level that couldn’t be detected in blood tests.
  • Also, FL didn’t get worse in 76% of people who took Rituxan Hycela. This was compared with 72% of people who took rituximab.

Rituxan Hycela was studied only with the use of chemotherapy in people who hadn’t been treated. The drug was approved for its other FL uses based on how effective it was and it being similar to Rituxan, which was already approved.

Rituxan Hycela used with chemotherapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Rituxan Hycela is FDA-approved for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that hasn’t been treated before. Rituxan Hycela is used with chemotherapy medications called anthracyclines or as part of a treatment known as R-CHOP. The other drugs in R-CHOP treatment are:

  • cyclophosphamide
  • doxorubicin
  • vincristine
  • prednisone

For more about R-CHOP, see “Rituxan Hycela for follicular lymphoma” above.

DLBCL is a type of cancer that affects the blood. Specifically, it’s a kind of NHL that involves white blood cells called B lymphocytes.

DLBCL is a fast-growing cancer that can start in the lymph nodes, digestive tract, testes, thyroid, skin, breasts, bones, or brain.

Symptoms of DLBCL can include night sweats, fever, and unexplained weight loss. Another possible symptom is enlarged lymph nodes that lead to swelling of the neck, underarms, or groin.

Effectiveness

A study looked at people with DLBCL who hadn’t been treated for the condition. Each person received an infusion of Rituxan. Then they had seven cycles of either Rituxan Hycela or Rituxan infusions. Each person also received chemotherapy treatment with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP). For more about CHOP, see “Rituxan Hycela for follicular lymphoma” above.

  • By the end of the study, 47% of people who took Rituxan Hycela and 42% of people who took Rituxan had some response to treatment. This means the level of cancer cells decreased to some extent.
  • Also, DLBCL didn’t get worse in 73% of people who took Rituxan Hycela and 77% of people who took Rituxan.

Rituxan Hycela used with chemotherapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Rituxan Hycela is FDA-approved for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in adults that either has or hasn’t been treated before. Rituxan Hycela is used with the drugs fludarabine and cyclophosphamide. This is also called FC therapy.

CLL is a cancer of white blood cells called lymphocytes. CLL usually starts in the bone marrow (where the blood cells are formed). Then the cancer moves into the blood and can spread to organs such as the liver.

Symptoms of CLL include:

  • feeling weak or tired
  • losing weight
  • chills
  • fever
  • night sweats
  • swollen lymph nodes

CLL is often treated with a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. The different drugs used will depend on how severe the CLL is and your overall health.

Effectiveness

A study looked at the use of Rituxan Hycela in people with CLL. Each person received an infusion of Rituxan. Then they had five cycles of either Rituxan Hycela or Rituxan. Each person also received chemotherapy treatment with the drugs fludarabine and cyclophosphamide. This is called FC therapy.

  • By the end of the study, 85% of people who received Rituxan Hycela and 81% of people who received Rituxan saw some response to therapy. This means that the level of cancer cells decreased to some extent.
  • Also, 26% of people who received Rituxan Hycela saw a complete response to therapy, compared with 33% of people who received Rituxan. This means that the cancer cells decreased to a level that couldn’t be detected in blood tests.

Rituxan Hycela and children

It’s not known if Rituxan Hycela is safe or effective for use in children.

Rituxan Hycela is often used with other drugs as a part of a cancer treatment plan to increase the chance of treatment success.

Before you start your Rituxan Hycela treatment, you’ll need to receive at least one infusion of rituximab (Rituxan) and premedications. For more information on these drugs, please see the “Rituxan Hycela administration” section above.

Other cancer drugs

Rituxan Hycela is often used with chemotherapy. Examples of other drugs used with Rituxan Hycela include:

  • cyclophosphamide
  • doxorubicin
  • vincristine
  • prednisone
  • yttrium-90 ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin)
  • fludarabine

When rituximab is used with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone, it may be called R-CHOP or CHOP.

When rituximab is used with the drugs fludarabine and cyclophosphamide, it may be called FC therapy.

It’s not known if alcohol is safe to consume while using Rituxan Hycela.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to keep drinking during your Rituxan Hycela treatment.

Rituxan Hycela may interact with certain medications and vaccines.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.

Rituxan Hycela and other medications

Below is a medication that can interact with Rituxan Hycela. There may be other drugs that interact with Rituxan Hycela.

Before taking Rituxan Hycela, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Rituxan Hycela and cisplatin

Rituxan Hycela can interact with a chemotherapy drug called cisplatin. When used together, the drugs can build up to dangerous levels in your kidneys and lead to kidney failure. So you shouldn’t take these drugs together.

If you’re taking cisplatin, tell your doctor before you start using Rituxan Hycela. They may be able to recommend a different medication.

It’s not known if other drugs interact with Rituxan Hycela. Talk with your doctor before taking any new drugs while using Rituxan Hycela.

Rituxan Hycela and live vaccines

You should avoid getting live vaccines while using Rituxan Hycela. Live vaccines contain a weak form of the bacterium or virus they’re meant to prevent. When your immune system is healthy, live vaccines usually don’t cause infections. But when your immune system is weak (as when you’re taking Rituxan Hycela), getting a live vaccine can lead to an infection.

It’s actually not known if it’s safe for you to receive any live vaccines while taking Rituxan Hycela. But because your immune system will be weakened during treatment, getting a live vaccine isn’t recommended.

Examples of live vaccines include:

Before you start using Rituxan Hycela, ask your doctor if your vaccines are up to date. They may want you to have them before your treatment.

Rituxan Hycela and herbs and supplements

There aren’t any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Rituxan Hycela. However, you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking Rituxan Hycela.

Rituxan Hycela and foods

There aren’t any foods that have been specifically reported to interact with Rituxan Hycela. If you have any questions about eating certain foods with Rituxan Hycela, talk with your doctor.

As with all medications, the cost of Rituxan Hycela can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan and your location.

Your insurance plan may require you to get prior authorization before approving coverage for Rituxan Hycela. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if Rituxan Hycela will be covered.

If you’re not sure if you’ll need to get prior authorization for Rituxan Hycela, contact your insurance plan.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Rituxan Hycela, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Genentech, Inc., the manufacturer of Rituxan Hycela, offers several programs, including:

  • Genentech Access Solutions: 866-422-2377
  • Genentech Patient Foundation: 888-941-3331
  • Genentech Co-pay Services: 866-422-2377

For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call the numbers above or visit the program website.

Generic version

Rituxan Hycela isn’t available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Rituxan Hycela is approved to treat certain types of cancer in adults.

Follicular lymphoma explained

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a type of cancer that affects the blood. Specifically, it’s a kind of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that occurs when certain white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma explained

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a type of cancer that affects the blood. To be precise, it’s a form of NHL that involves white blood cells called B lymphocytes.

DLBCL is a fast-growing cancer that can start in the lymph nodes, digestive tract, testes, thyroid, skin, breasts, bones, or brain.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia explained

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a cancer of white blood cells called lymphocytes. CLL usually starts in the bone marrow (where the blood cells are formed). Then the cancer moves into the blood and can spread to organs such as the liver.

What Rituxan Hycela does

Rituxan Hycela contains two active ingredients: rituximab and hyaluronidase. This means rituximab and hyaluronidase are the ingredients that makes Rituxan Hycela work.

The main active ingredient is rituximab, which is an antibody (a type of protein) used to fight certain cancers. Rituximab targets a specific protein usually found on B-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). When rituximab binds to the cell target, rituximab destroys the cancer cell.

Hyaluronidase is an enzyme (a different kind of protein) that helps increase your body’s ability to absorb rituximab. The addition of hyaluronidase lets Rituxan Hycela be injected under the skin of the belly in minutes.

How long does it take to work?

The amount of time Rituxan Hycela takes to work will depend on the type of cancer you have and how severe it is. In clinical studies, some reductions in the level of cancer cells were seen right away after treatment was started with Rituxan Hycela.

Women who are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant shouldn’t use Rituxan Hycela. Rituxan Hycela can harm a developing fetus and cause abnormal blood cells to develop. This can lead to a weakened immune system at birth.

If you’re pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, talk with your doctor about other treatment options.

It’s not known if Rituxan Hycela is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re using Rituxan Hycela.

For women using Rituxan Hycela

If you’re a woman using Rituxan Hycela and can become pregnant, you should use birth control during your treatment. And you should keep using birth control for at least 12 months after you receive your last dose of Rituxan Hycela.

For men using Rituxan Hycela

The manufacturer of Rituxan Hycela doesn’t have birth control recommendations for men who use the drug. So if you’re a man using Rituxan Hycela and you’re sexually active with a female who can become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They can review your birth control needs while you use the medication.

For more information about Rituxan Hycela use and pregnancy, see the “Rituxan Hycela and pregnancy” section above.

You should avoid breastfeeding while using Rituxan Hycela and for at least 6 months after you receive your last dose.

It’s not known if Rituxan Hycela is safe to use while breastfeeding. There have been no studies in nursing mothers who took Rituxan Hycela. Studies in animals suggest that Rituxan Hycela can pass into breastmilk.

If you’re breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before using Rituxan Hycela. They can review the pros and cons of the drug with you.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Rituxan Hycela.

Why do I need a Rituxan infusion before receiving Rituxan Hycela?

Having an infusion of rituximab (Rituxan) can show whether it’s safe for you to start using Rituxan Hycela.

The first part of your Rituxan Hycela treatment is to receive rituximab. This is one of the active ingredients in Rituxan Hycela. Rituximab is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, which is an injection into your vein that’s given over a period of time. Rituximab infusions take several hours.

The infusion is given to see if you’re allergic to rituximab. If you have an allergic reaction to the drug, it’s easy for the healthcare provider to stop the infusion and treat you.

Rituxan Hycela is given as a subcutaneous injection in your belly. A healthcare provider injects the drug directly under your skin, and the medication is released into your bloodstream over time. If you have an allergic reaction to Rituxan Hycela, there’s no way to remove the drug from your body. That’s why the infusion is given first.

If you have any questions about rituximab infusions or Rituxan Hycela injections, talk with your doctor.

Is Rituxan Hycela a type of chemotherapy?

No. Rituxan isn’t a type of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a treatment used for cancer because it attacks quickly growing cells, like cancer cells. But chemotherapy isn’t specific, so it can attack other quickly growing cells as well. And some of these cells may be healthy (not cancerous).

Rituxan Hycela is a type of targeted therapy because it targets just cancer cells. The drug usually leaves healthy cells alone.

Should I avoid getting certain vaccines while taking Rituxan Hycela?

Yes, you should avoid getting live vaccines while using Rituxan Hycela. Live vaccines contain a weak form of the bacterium or virus they’re meant to prevent. When your immune system is healthy, live vaccines usually don’t cause infections. But when your immune system is weak (as when you’re taking Rituxan Hycela), getting a live vaccine can lead to an infection.

It’s actually not known if it’s safe for you to receive any live vaccines while taking Rituxan Hycela. But because your immune system will be weakened during treatment, getting a live vaccine isn’t recommended.

For more information, see the “Rituxan Hycela and live vaccines” section above.

Will Rituxan Hycela cure my condition?

There’s no cure for cancer. However, Rituxan Hycela may cause you to reach remission (a period of time when you’re free from cancer signs or symptoms). With remission, there’s always a risk that the cancer may return.

Talk with your doctor about how often your specific type of cancer tends to return.

This drug comes with several precautions.

FDA warnings

This drug has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

  • Severe reactions of the skin or mucous membranes. Rituxan Hycela can cause severe reactions in certain areas of the skin and mucous membranes (thin linings of skin). An example of these reactions is Stevens-Johnson syndrome. In rare cases, this side effect can even cause death. If you have a severe reaction while taking Rituxan Hycela, your doctor will likely have you stop taking the drug.
  • Hepatitis B virus reactivation. If you’ve hadhepatitis B in the past, taking Rituxan Hycela may cause the hepatitis B virus to become active again. This can lead to liver damage, liver failure, and sometimes death. Your doctor will test you for hepatitis B before you start taking Rituxan Hycela and throughout your treatment.
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Rituxan Hycela can lead to a rare but dangerous condition called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML can sometimes be fatal. If you develop PML during your treatment, your doctor will likely have you stop taking Rituxan Hycela. They may also adjust your use of other medications.

Other precautions

Before taking Rituxan Hycela, talk with your doctor about your health history. Rituxan Hycela may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Active infections. If you have any active bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, they’ll need to be treated before you start taking Rituxan Hycela. (“Active” means that you currently have symptoms.) Your immune system may not be able to fight off the infections after you start Rituxan Hycela treatment. So make sure you tell your doctor about any infections you have before using the medication.
  • Kidney problems. Rituxan Hycela may cause kidney damage in some people. If you have a history of kidney problems, talk with your doctor before taking the medication. Your doctor can advise you on the right treatments for you.
  • Heart problems. Rituxan Hycela may cause heart problems like arrhythmia (a heartbeat that’s uneven, too fast, or too slow) or angina (chest pain). If you have a history of heart problems, you should talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Rituxan Hycela. They can recommend the right medications for you.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’re allergic to Rituxan Hycela or any of its ingredients, you shouldn’t use the drug. Ask your doctor what other treatments are better choices for you.
  • Pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, you shouldn’t use Rituxan Hycela. For more information, please see the “Rituxan Hycela and pregnancy” section above.
  • Breastfeeding. You should avoid breastfeeding while using Rituxan Hycela and for at least 6 months after you receive your last dose. For more information, please see the “Rituxan Hycela and breastfeeding” section above.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Rituxan Hycela, see the “Rituxan Hycela side effects” section above.

The following information is provided for clinicians and other healthcare professionals.

Indications

Rituxan Hycela is used to treat the following conditions in adults:

  • follicular lymphoma (FL) that is relapsed or refractory when used as monotherapy
  • FL that is treatment-naïve FL as first-line therapy with chemotherapy, and as maintenance monotherapy after a complete or partial response with treatment containing rituximab
  • non-progressing FL when used as a monotherapy in people who were previously treated with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP)
  • diffuse large B-cell lymphoma when used in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, or other chemotherapy regimens in people who have not been previously treated
  • chronic lymphocytic leukemia with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide in people who are treatment-naïve or have been previously treated

Mechanism of action

Rituxan Hycela contains two main ingredients: rituximab and hyaluronidase.

Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets and binds to CD20 antigens on the surface of B lymphocytes. Once rituximab binds to the antigen, B-cell lysis occurs, killing off malignant B cells via antibody-dependent cell-mediated toxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that increases the absorption of rituximab from the subcutaneous space.

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism

Rituxan Hycela has a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 32 to 34.1 days, with a clearance of 0.18 to 0.204 liters per day.

Contraindications

There are no contraindications to Rituxan Hycela therapy.

Storage

Rituxan Hycela vials should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) in the original carton and protected from light. Rituxan Hycela should not be frozen.

After you withdraw the Rituxan Hycela solution from the vial, it should be used immediately. If it is not, you may store it in the syringe in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F/2°C to 8°C) for up to 48 hours. It can also be stored at room temperature (86°F/30°C) for up to 8 hours thereafter away from direct light.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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