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Rituxan (rituximab) Infusion Therapy

Discover why thousands of patients choose Haven Infusion as their preferred place to receive infusions and injections.

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What is Rituxan?

Rituxan (rituximab) is a prescription biologic therapy used to treat several autoimmune conditions and certain types of cancer:

Rheumatoid arthritis (in combination with methotrexate)
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)
Pemphigus vulgaris
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)

Rituxan works by targeting a protein (CD20) found on the surface of certain immune system cells, helping to reduce inflammation and abnormal immune activity.

Rituxan and Its Biosimilars

You may see or hear of other products also called rituximab. These might include:

Truxima (rituximab-abbs)
Ruxience (rituximab-pvvr)
Riabni (rituximab-arrx)

These are called “biosimilars” which are highly similar (though not strictly identical) to Rituxan. The FDA considers them to have similar safety and efficacy as Rituxan. Many insurance plans will require usage of biosimilars instead of Rituxan because they have lower cost.

Different plans may prefer different biosimilars, though, so just be aware you may see different product names. Haven will work with your doctor to find the right product given your insurance coverage.

How Often Do I Need Rituxan Infusions?

Patients with autoimmune conditions typically receive Rituxan every 6 months, often in pairs of doses. For example, two doses two weeks apart, then wait 6 months, then another two doses two weeks apart.

Each appointment usually takes about 4-6 hours, broken down approximately as follows:

Check-in & forms: ~10-15 min
Preparation: ~5–10 min
Medication administration: ~3-4 hours
Post-treatment monitoring: ~15-30 min

How Do I Prepare for My Rituxan Infusion?

Here’s how you should prepare for your appointment:

Consult Your Healthcare Provider

Medical History Review: Ensure your healthcare provider has a complete and up-to-date medical history, including any allergies, current medications, and past reactions to other medications. Your doctor will have sent these records to Haven Infusion beforehand.
Pre-Appointment Testing: Complete any required blood tests or other pre-appointment tests as recommended by your healthcare provider.

Pre-Infusion Medications

Prescription Pre-Medications: You may require pre-medications to reduce the risk of a reaction or adverse event. Your referring provider will include any pre-medications when sending in your prescription order to Haven. Your Haven Infusion clinician will have these ready for you as part of your appointment.
Regular Medications: If you take other medications on a regular basis, be sure to consult with your doctor to see if you need to change how you take them while on Rituxan.

Hydration and Nutrition

Hydrate: Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your infusion to ensure you are well-hydrated. If you are a regular caffeine drinker, go lighter the morning of, since caffeine is dehydrating.
Eat Light: Have a light meal before your infusion to help maintain your energy levels during the procedure.
Prepare for Comfort
Clothing: Wear loose, comfortable clothing with easy access to your arms for the infusion site.
Entertainment: Bring whatever you would like to keep you occupied, such as a book, tablet, or music.

Plan for Transportation

Arrange a Ride: Depending on the medication and your reaction to the infusion, you might not feel well enough to drive yourself home. Consider arranging for someone to drive you or use a ride service.

By following these steps, you can help ensure that your infusion is as safe and comfortable as possible. Always follow the specific instructions provided by your healthcare team.

Does Rituxan Have Any Side Effects?

Most patients tolerate Rituxan well. If a patient does have side effects, the most common ones are fever, chills, fatigue or headache.

If you have concerns about side effects, please feel free to discuss them with your doctor before starting treatment. As a specialist in infusion care, Haven Infusion operates with comprehensive and well-established safety protocols, and we are happy to share them with you.

How Much Does Rituxan Cost?

Coverage varies depending on your insurance plan. Our goal is to lower your out-of-pocket costs as much as possible. When your doctor sends us your information, we will verify your benefits and help you find assistance programs that you qualify for.

We always review your expected out-of-pocket costs with you before scheduling your first appointment to ensure full transparency. And, if you have any questions or need help understanding how your insurance works, feel free to ask.