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What is the difference between Rituxan and Rituxan Hycela?

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on May 16, 2023.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Rituxan Hycela (rituximab and hyaluronidase human) includes the same monoclonal antibody as Rituxan (rituximab), but in combination with hyaluronidase, an enzyme that helps to deliver rituximab by subcutaneous injection under the skin. The original Rituxan is given only by intravenous (IV) infusion.

Rituxan Hycela is administered via subcutaneous injection to adults with the following blood cancers:

  • follicular lymphoma
  • diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
  • chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Rituxan is administered via intravenous infusion for the following conditions:

  • non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (including follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma)
  • chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener’s Granulomatosis) and
    microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)
  • pemphigus vulgaris

Clinical studies showed Rituxan Hycela delivered similar blood levels and effectiveness of rituximab; however, the majority (77 percent) of patients preferred Rituxan Hycela over IV Rituxan due to less time spent in the clinic.

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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

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