How is Rituxan Hycela administered?
Rituxan Hycela (rituximab and hyaluronidase human) is given via subcutaneous injection - an injection under the skin - in the stomach area. It is administered by a healthcare professional.
Rituxan Hycela contains rituximab, the same active ingredient as in Rituxan. But it has been formulated so that it can be given over 5-7 minutes via subcutaneous injection, rather than via intravenous (IV) infusion like Rituxan, which can take 3-6 hours.
Rituxan Hycela should only be administered after at least one full dose of a rituximab product has been administered via intravenous (IV) infusion because of the potential for hypersensitivity reactions and other side effects during the initial administration of rituximab products.
Before you receive Rituxan Hycela, an antihistamine and acetaminophen, and possibly a glucocorticoid medication, will be administered to help prevent side effects. After your injection you’ll be monitored for at least 15 minutes.
References
- Rituxan Hycela website. Prescribing information. Administration. [Accessed September 29, 20201]. Available from: https://www.rituxanhycela.com/hcp/dosing-and-administration/administration.html.
- NIH, National Cancer Institute. New Rituximab Formulation Approved for Some Lymphomas, Leukemia. July 14, 2017. [Accessed September 29, 2021]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2017/fda-rituxan-hycela.
Read next
What is the success rate of Rituxan (rituximab) in patients with blood cancers?
In patients with hematological or blood cancers, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Rituxan’s success is measured in a number of ways. It is measured by looking at how long patients responded to treatment (median duration of response), how long they live without their disease progressing (progression-free survival) and how many patients respond to treatment (response rate).
Rituxan treatment improves outcomes in certain patients with NHL. Adding Rituxan alongside standard therapies enhances the response patients have to treatment and improves overall outcomes, including increasing the time patients live for without experiencing a progression of their disease.
Rituxan helps to improve overall survival in certain patients with CLL and also helps to increase the time patients live for without experiencing disease progression. Adding Rituxan alongside standard therapy enhances the response patients have to therapy. Continue reading
Is Venclexta (venetoclax) chemotherapy?
Venclexta (venetoclax) is a targeted treatment rather than a type of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is defined as a drug treatment that kills fast-growing cells in your body. Venclexta works by binding to a specific protein called BCL-2 which is overexpressed on cancerous cells in people with cancers such as AML and CLL. By binding to this protein Venclexta kills cancerous CLL and AML lymphocytes, in preference to other fast-growing cells. Continue reading
Does Truxima make you gain weight?
Weight gain has been reported in 11% of patients being treated with Truxima (rituximab) for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Be sure to contact your doctor right away if you have a rapid or unexplained weight gain or fluid retention (edema), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of energy when using Truxima, as you may need immediate medical care. Continue reading
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Drug information
- Rituxan Hycela Information for Consumers
- Rituxan Hycela prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Rituxan Hycela (detailed)
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