Leukemia Channel
Topics
Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Rituxan
Rituxan is approved for the treatment of several conditions, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and rheumatoid arthritis. This prescription medication is designed to kill certain cells, most notably B cells. The drug comes in injectable form, and is typically administered by a healthcare provider. Possible side effects include fever, chills, and infections.
Rituxan® (rituximab) is a prescription medication approved for treating the following conditions:
- Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA).
(Click Rituxan Uses for more information on this topic, including possible off-label uses.)
Rituxan is made by Genentech, Inc.
Rituxan is an antibody that binds to a specific antigen (known as CD20 antigen) on the surface of B cells. B cells are a type of lymphocyte (white blood cell) that plays a role in the immune system and inflammation. By binding to the CD20 antigen, Rituxan signals the body to destroy the B cells (including cancerous B cells, if the medication is being used to treat cancer).
Interestingly, Rituxan is made by fusing part of a mouse antibody with part of a human antibody and is grown in the ovary cells of Chinese hamsters.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD