Generic Rituxan

Because Rituxan (rituximab) is considered a "biologic" medication, it is subject to rules and laws that prevent any generic versions from being manufactured. However, these laws will probably be changed to allow for generic biologics to be made. When these rules change, patents could still protect Rituxan from generic competition, so it's hard to say when a generic form of the drug could become available.

Rituxan Medication Information

Can I Buy Generic Rituxan?

Rituxan^®(rituximab) is a prescription medication approved for treating the following conditions:

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Rheumatoid arthritis
Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA).

It belongs to a group of drugs known as monoclonal antibodies, hence the "mab" (an acronym for "monoclonal antibody") at the end of the name "rituximab." This drug is administered intravenously (by IV).

Rituxan is manufactured by Genentech, Inc. Technically, it is considered a "biologic," and is therefore under different rules and laws than most other medications.

When Will Generic Rituxan Be Available?

Although new laws have cleared a path for the possibility of generic biologics, there is still quite a bit of rulemaking to be done. However, even once all the official business of allowing generic biologics is completed, it is likely that Rituxan will still be protected from generic competition by patents. It is not exactly clear when the patents expire, as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not yet list applicable patents for biologics, as it does for other medications.

Is Rituximab a Generic Rituxan?

No -- rituximab is the active ingredient in Rituxan, but is not a generic version of it.

What can be confusing is that oftentimes, the active ingredient of a drug is referred to as the "generic name."

The generic name is different from a generic version of a medicine. In order for there to be a generic version, the original medicine must have gone off-patent and another company besides the original manufacturer must make the product.