Rituximab is an intravenous infusion (drip) used to treat certain types of blood cancer and severe autoimmune conditions.
Rituximab is a targeted biological therapy (monoclonal antibody) used to treat conditions such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and severe rheumatoid arthritis. It targets and destroys specific white blood cells called B-lymphocytes (B-cells), which play a central role in both cancerous cell growth and autoimmune attacks.
Rituximab is used for people with:
Blood cancers, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).
Severe active rheumatoid arthritis (usually alongside methotrexate when other therapies have failed).
Severe autoimmune conditions, such as Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA), Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA), and severe pemphigus vulgaris.
The usual rituximab dose depends entirely on the specific condition being treated, as well as the patient’s body surface area:
Administration: It is given exclusively as an intravenous infusion (drip) in a hospital or clinical setting, typically lasting several hours.
Frequency: For blood cancers, it is usually given in cycles (e.g., every 3 to 4 weeks). For rheumatoid arthritis, it is typically given as a course of two infusions spaced 2 weeks apart, repeated every 6 to 12 months depending on response.
Note: Patients often receive “pre-medication” (such as paracetamol, an antihistamine, and a steroid) just before the infusion to reduce the risk of a reaction.
Rituximab side effects can occur during the infusion or weeks after the treatment.
Infusion-related reactions (fever, chills, shivering, dizziness, or a rash during or shortly after the drip). This is common.
Increased risk of infections (due to a temporary lowering of normal white blood cells).
Tiredness and fatigue.
Nausea and headache.
Serious side effects, such as severe skin reactions, severe infections, or the reactivation of underlying viruses (like Hepatitis B), require urgent medical care.
As a monoclonal antibody, rituximab is designed to specifically seek out and bind to a protein called CD20 found on the surface of B-cells.
Once attached, it triggers the body’s own immune system to destroy these specific B-cells.
In blood cancers, this eliminates cancerous B-cells. In autoimmune diseases, it temporarily clears out the overactive B-cells that are mistakenly attacking the body’s healthy tissues.
Your healthcare team should monitor:
Vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature) closely throughout the infusion.
Full blood counts (FBC) to track white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet levels.
Liver and kidney function tests via blood work.
Signs of active infection or viral reactivation before and during the treatment course.
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