HomeNDC LookupIngredientsRituximab-Pvvr › 00069-0249-01
Ruxience rituximab-pvvr 500 mg/50mL Injection, Solution — NDC 00069-0249-01 package photo

Ruxience rituximab-pvvr 500 mg/50mL Injection, Solution

by Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc · 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE in 1 CARTON (0069-0249-01) / 50 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE
NDC 00069-0249-01
🏷️ FDA NDC (as labeled) 0069-0249-01 billing pads the labeler segment with a zero
Rx only Brand On market Non-controlled
🗂️ Data synced Sep 10, 2026 · sources: openFDA · FDA label (DailyMed) · FDA Orange & Purple Book · First Databank · CMS NADAC, ASP, Medicare & Medicaid · RxNorm
📋 All sources & update times →

🆔 Identity & classification

FDA NDC (as labeled) 0069-0249-01
Product NDC 0069-0249
11-digit billing NDC 00069024901
NCPDP billing unit ML — per mL (volume)
UNII 4F4X42SYQ6
Application # BLA761103
SPL Set ID f941fc61-f7a3-4e4a-ab7c-87c1667fa05b
Established class (EPC) CD20-directed Cytolytic Antibody
Mechanism of action CD20-directed Antibody Interactions
DEA schedule Non-controlled
Marketing category BLA
Marketing status On market
FDA listing status Listed (active directory)
Marketing start 2020-01-23
Route INTRAVENOUS
Dosage form INJECTION, SOLUTION
Substance RITUXIMAB
GCN Seq No 080059
GCN 46734
HICL code 045899
Ingredient (HICL) Rituximab-Pvvr
HIC1 code Z
Therapeutic class — broad (HIC1) Body As A Whole
HIC2 code Z2
Therapeutic class — intermediate (HIC2) Antihistamines, Antiserotonins, Immunosuppressants
HIC3 code Z2W
Therapeutic class — specific (HIC3) Anti-Cd20 (B Lymphocyte) Monoclonal Antibody
AHFS code 10:00.00.00
AHFS class Antineoplastic Agents
FDB label name RUXIENCE 500 MG/50 ML VIAL
FDB brand name Ruxience
Legend status F — Federal legend — prescription drug or device
Biologic (Purple Book) 351(k) Biosimilar · biosimilar
Reference product rituximab
Why two NDCs? The FDA registers this code as 0069-0249-01 — a 4-4-2 layout, and that's what's printed on the package and shown on DailyMed. For insurance claims, every NDC is standardized to a uniform 11-digit 5-4-2 format by adding a zero to the labeler segment → 00069-0249-01. Same drug, same package — only the format differs.
Where does this data come from?
Identifiers from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Structured Product Labeling; RxCUI from RxNorm (NLM); GPI from Medi-Span; GCN / HIC / AHFS / legend from First Databank.

🏷️ RxNorm drug class

This medicine belongs to the CD20-directed Cytolytic Antibody class.

Pharmacologic class CD20-directed Cytolytic Antibody
Drug family (ATC) CD20 (Clusters of Differentiation 20) inhibitors
How it works CD20-directed Antibody Interactions
Where does this data come from?
Therapeutic classes from RxNorm RxClass (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Established Pharmacologic Class (FDA), ATC drug family (WHO) and mechanism of action, matched by this product’s RxCUI.

🏭 Manufacturer & labeler

LabelerPfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc
FDA applicationBLA761103 (BLA)
Labeler code00069
First marketedJan 2020
Product typeHuman Prescription Drug
Portfolio242 products on file
The labeler markets the product; the application holder owns the FDA approval. They’re often the same company but can differ (e.g. a repackager or an authorized generic). A mailing address / phone appears here when the manufacturer includes it in the product’s FDA label (not all do).
Where does this data come from?
Labeler, application holder and registered establishment from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Drugs@FDA; address/contact from the product’s FDA label.

🩺 Clinical

Label name RUXIENCE 500 MG/50 ML VIAL Ingredient Rituximab-Pvvr
📖 What it is MedlinePlus · NLM

Rituximab injection products are used in adults alone or with other medications to treat various types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL; a type of cancer that begins in a type of white blood cells that normally fights infection). Rituximab injection products are also used in adults with other medications to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; a type of cancer of the white blood cells). Rituximab injection products (Rituxan, Ruxience, Truxima) are also used in adults with methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Xatmep, others) to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA; a condition in which th...

Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗
📗 Our plain-language guide HelloPharmacist
  • Yes, absolutely — and it's one of the most important parts of your treatment. Rituximab can cause serious reactions during or shortly after the infusion, and these are most likely...
  • Why am I being watched so closely during my infusion — is that normal?
  • It's really important that you mention this to your doctor before starting rituximab, if you haven't already. Rituximab can cause the hepatitis B virus to 'wake up' again — a proce...
  • I had hepatitis B years ago — is that a problem?
📖 Read our full Rituximab Injection guide →
Where does this data come from?
Plain-language summary from MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); supplement & herbal interactions and nutrient depletion data from the Natural Medicines database; our full guide is HelloPharmacist editorial content.

🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients

Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.

💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.

  • 128.5 mg / 50 mL UNII 7FLD91C86K
    Edetate disodium is a chemical compound that binds and removes certain metal ions. In medicines, it acts as a preservative and stabilizer by preventing metals like calcium from interfering with the product's shelf life and consistency.
  • 60 mg / 50 mL UNII 4QD397987E
    An amino acid used as a buffer and stabilizer in medications. It helps maintain the pH balance and protects the active drug from breaking down during storage and use.
  • 128.5 mg / 50 mL UNII X573657P6P
    Histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate is an amino acid salt used as a buffer in medicines. It helps maintain the proper acidity level of liquid formulations to keep the drug stable and effective.
  • 10 mg / 50 mL UNII 6OZP39ZG8H
    Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid. It helps mix oil and water-based ingredients together in medications and improves how the product disperses in the body.
  • 4250 mg / 50 mL UNII C151H8M554
    A natural sugar derived from sugar cane or sugar beets. It's used as a sweetener, filler, and binder to improve taste, add bulk, and help hold tablet or capsule ingredients together.
  • UNII 059QF0KO0R
    Water is a liquid solvent that dissolves and mixes ingredients together in liquid medicines, syrups, and injections. It helps distribute the active drug evenly throughout the product.

6 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.

Where does this data come from?
Data sourced from official FDA Structured Product Labeling (SPL) via DailyMedingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.

Inactive ingredient FAQ

Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
No. Inactive ingredients can differ by manufacturer, dosage form, strength, and package / product version.
Why might an inactive ingredient be missing?
Some SPLs do not provide a complete structured inactive-ingredient list, and older or unusual labels may only include the information in narrative text.
Can inactive ingredients matter?
Yes. They can matter for allergies, intolerances, dyes, gluten / lactose concerns, preservatives, and formulation differences — but confirm with a pharmacist or the manufacturer when it’s clinically important.

💲 Pricing

A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.

Price systemPer mLPer package
Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly Not in the retail survey — common for institutional, discontinued, or low-volume packs.
Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo $32.65 $1,632.39 / 50 ml
Medicare drug plans payPart D · quarterly No Part D plan price is available for this NDC in our data.
Medicare Part B allowsASP · Q5119 $16.160 / Q5119 unit
Where does this data come from?
NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) is the CMS weekly pharmacy-acquisition-cost survey — what pharmacies pay. ASP (Average Sales Price) is the CMS Medicare Part B drug-payment file, published quarterly. Medicaid pays is computed by us from CMS State Drug Utilization Data (total reimbursed ÷ units, trailing 12 months) — gross of rebates and inclusive of dispensing fees, so it reflects what Medicaid paid, not an acquisition cost. Medicare drug plans pay is the median negotiated point-of-sale unit cost across plans listing this NDC in the CMS quarterly Prescription Drug Plan pricing files, before rebates. The VA pays is the federal contract price (FSS, and the statutory Big 4 ceiling where listed) from the VA National Acquisition Center pharmaceutical price file. All are free public government data; each measures a different payer, so the figures are not directly comparable.

🧾 Billing & reimbursement

FDA NDC (as labeled)0069-0249-01
11-digit billing NDC00069-0249-01
Format4-4-2 as registered → padded to 5-4-2 for billing (zero added to the labeler segment)
HCPCS J-codeQ5119
DescriptorInjection, rituximab-pvvr, biosimilar, (ruxience), 10 mg
Billing units / pkg50 units
Crosswalk sourceCMS ASP NDC-HCPCS Crosswalk
Where does this data come from?
The HCPCS J-code crosswalk comes from the CMS ASP NDC-HCPCS crosswalk and the DMEPDAC (DME MAC) NDC-HCPCS crosswalk — free public CMS data. Billing units are derived from the code’s descriptor and the package amount.

🔁 Therapeutic equivalents

ProductLabelerPackNADAC/unitTEStatusPrice vs. this
Ruxience 500 mg/50mLthis 00069-0249-01 Pfizer 1 vial FDA listed
About this product: this is a biologic. Biologics don't have small-molecule generics — competition comes from FDA-licensed biosimilars (shown above), not generics.
Where does this data come from?
Equivalents are other NDCs of the same ingredient, form and route from the openFDA NDC Directory, ranked least-expensive-first by NADAC. Therapeutic-equivalence (AB) ratings come from the FDA Orange Book; biologics use the FDA Purple Book for biosimilar & interchangeable status.

Availability & biosimilar status

🏛️
2019
First FDA approval
Jul 2019
📍
2026
Currently FDA-listed
7 years listed
🔓
2026
Biosimilars listed
3 FDA-licensed
🧬FDA-licensed biosimilars listed

3 biosimilars are FDA-licensed for this reference biologic — see the list below. (Biologics have no small-molecule generics.)

🛡️ Latest patent/protection date listed: Biosimilars are already FDA-licensed for this product — the last listed patent runs to Jul 2031.
📅 FDA approved Jul 23, 2019

Why the date isn’t exact: Biosimilar timing can change because patents may be challenged, settled, licensed, added or removed, and litigation can move the real date earlier or later.

FDA Purple Book — biosimilars & interchangeables
Reference product
Source: FDA Purple Book (purplebooksearch.fda.gov), matched on the reference product’s active ingredient.
Patents & exclusivity — FDA Purple Book
Exclusivity RefProduct
2019 2021 2023 2025 2027 2029 2031
Today
LOE
Biologic patent Exclusivity
🏛️Reference-product exclusivity
A flat 12 years of FDA market protection from first licensure. No biosimilar can be licensed before it ends — regardless of patents.
🧪Listed biologic patents
Patents the reference maker lists covering the molecule, formulation, or manufacturing. A biosimilar generally can’t launch until these resolve.
🔁Interchangeability
An interchangeable biosimilar may be substituted at the pharmacy (state laws vary). The first one can earn its own exclusivity period.
🛈 What do these terms mean?
Biologic patent
A patent the reference product’s maker has publicly listed. A biosimilar generally can’t launch until these expire — unless they’re invalidated or resolved in a settlement.
Reference-product exclusivity
A flat 12 years of FDA market protection from the biologic’s first licensure (the BPCIA). No biosimilar can be licensed before it ends, regardless of patents.
Interchangeable exclusivity
The first interchangeable biosimilar can earn a period as the only interchangeable version (pharmacists can substitute it without the prescriber).
Earliest biosimilar (LOE)
The latest of all the dates above — the soonest a biosimilar can realistically reach the market. Litigation and settlements can move it earlier.

Biologics have no small-molecule “generics” — competition comes from FDA-licensed biosimilars, tracked in the FDA Purple Book.

FDA exclusivity
CodeWhat it grantsExpires
RefProductReference-product exclusivity (12-year, BPCIA) — no biosimilar can be licensed before this dateJul 23, 2031
Common questions
Is there a biosimilar for RUXIENCE 500 MG/50 ML VIAL?
Yes — at least one FDA-licensed biosimilar is listed for this biologic. See the Purple Book family above for the available products.
Why do different websites show different biosimilar dates?
Biosimilar availability isn’t based on one single date. Some sources use the reference-product exclusivity, some use the last listed patent, and patent litigation, settlements, and licenses can all change the real-world launch date. This page shows the underlying Purple Book dates so you can see why estimates differ.
Can a biosimilar launch before the last patent expires?
Sometimes. A biosimilar maker may settle with the reference manufacturer or receive a license to launch earlier. In other cases, the last listed protection delays competition.
What does “current Purple Book estimate” mean?
It means we’re using the latest patent and exclusivity dates currently listed in the FDA Purple Book. It is not a guaranteed launch date.
What does “FDA listed” mean?
It means the product appears in the FDA’s official directory. That’s a good sign a product exists for the U.S. market, but on its own it does not confirm a pharmacy can get it today. Where we have recent retail pricing data, we label it “Availability likely” instead.
What does a patent or protection date mean here?
It’s the latest date currently listed in the FDA Purple Book for a patent or exclusivity on the reference biologic. It can affect when a biosimilar becomes widely available — but it is not a guaranteed launch date. Settlements and licenses can move the real date earlier or later.
Built from the FDA Purple Book Patent List (patents the reference-product sponsor has publicly listed under the BPCIA) plus reference-product exclusivity. Biosimilars cannot launch until these clear; patent litigation and settlements can shift the real date. Biologics have no small-molecule generics — competition comes from FDA-licensed biosimilars, not the Orange Book.
Where does this data come from?
Patents and exclusivity from the FDA Purple Book (biologics), refreshed from public FDA data. Biosimilar launch timing is an estimate, not a guarantee.

🗺️ Medicaid utilization & spend

📍 This exact package only: Medicaid data is reported per full 11-digit NDC — labeler, product and pack size — so every number here is for 00069-0249-01, not the drug overall. Other pack sizes report separately.
💊 Pharmacy benefit only: These are Medicaid outpatient pharmacy claims, billed by NDC. They exclude the medical benefit — clinic- or hospital-administered drugs billed under HCPCS J-codes — so drugs used mostly that way (e.g. Avastin, Lucentis, Keytruda) can look low or missing here. That’s expected, not an error.
📅 Q1 2025 – Q4 2025 · 4 quarters of data
ⓘ The newest quarter is usually incomplete when first published; states restate recent quarters in later CMS releases, so the latest figures typically revise upward. State coverage-policy changes can also shift quarter-to-quarter totals.
Prescriptions last 4 qtrs
7K
Units reimbursed last 4 qtrs
501.3K
Gross reimbursed last 4 qtrs
$16.37M
Avg / prescription
$2,328.92
Avg / unit
$32.6477
Latest quarter Q4 2025
1.4KRx
Fee-for-service vs managed care
27% FFS 73% MCO
Fee-for-service · 1,890 Rx Managed care · 5,137 Rx
State Medicaid map
Alaska: no data reported AK Maine: 511 units · 36.6 per 100k residents ME Washington: 9,330 units · 119 per 100k residents WA Idaho: 9,250 units · 471 per 100k residents ID Montana: no data reported MT North Dakota: no data reported ND Minnesota: 6,517 units · 114 per 100k residents MN Wisconsin: 6,080 units · 103 per 100k residents WI Michigan: 24,132 units · 240 per 100k residents MI New York: 52,889 units · 270 per 100k residents NY Vermont: 3,250 units · 502 per 100k residents VT New Hampshire: 6,450 units · 460 per 100k residents NH Oregon: 10,295 units · 243 per 100k residents OR Nevada: 8,354 units · 262 per 100k residents NV Wyoming: no data reported WY South Dakota: no data reported SD Iowa: 6,500 units · 203 per 100k residents IA Illinois: 30,789 units · 245 per 100k residents IL Indiana: 8,900 units · 130 per 100k residents IN Ohio: 25,529 units · 217 per 100k residents OH Pennsylvania: 12,875 units · 99.3 per 100k residents PA New Jersey: 4,207 units · 45.3 per 100k residents NJ Massachusetts: 9,592 units · 137 per 100k residents MA California: 40,318 units · 103 per 100k residents CA Utah: 10,399 units · 304 per 100k residents UT Colorado: 9,642 units · 164 per 100k residents CO Nebraska: 1,554 units · 78.6 per 100k residents NE Missouri: no data reported MO Kentucky: 2,217 units · 49.0 per 100k residents KY West Virginia: 2,235 units · 126 per 100k residents WV Virginia: 11,232 units · 129 per 100k residents VA Maryland: 5,593 units · 90.5 per 100k residents MD Connecticut: 6,798 units · 188 per 100k residents CT Rhode Island: no data reported RI Arizona: 24,402 units · 328 per 100k residents AZ New Mexico: 16,173 units · 765 per 100k residents NM Kansas: 244 units · 8.3 per 100k residents KS Arkansas: 1,470 units · 47.9 per 100k residents AR Tennessee: 1,031 units · 14.5 per 100k residents TN North Carolina: 26,587 units · 245 per 100k residents NC South Carolina: 5,951 units · 111 per 100k residents SC Delaware: 3,150 units · 306 per 100k residents DE Oklahoma: 1,629 units · 40.2 per 100k residents OK Louisiana: no data reported LA Mississippi: 1,418 units · 48.2 per 100k residents MS Alabama: 2,690 units · 52.7 per 100k residents AL Georgia: 12,643 units · 115 per 100k residents GA D.C.: no data reported DC Hawaii: no data reported HI Texas: 18,588 units · 60.9 per 100k residents TX Florida: 48,215 units · 213 per 100k residents FL
Units reimbursed · per 100k residents
8.3765
gray = no data reported
Colors are per 100,000 residents, so big states don’t automatically dominate. Tap or hover a state for its actual totals.
Tap or hover a state
…for its Medicaid breakdown
🏆 Top states by units · per 100k residents
1 New Mexico 765 /100k
2 Vermont 502 /100k
3 Idaho 471 /100k
4 New Hampshire 460 /100k
5 Arizona 328 /100k
6 Delaware 306 /100k
7 Utah 304 /100k
8 New York 270 /100k
National units — by quarter
💵 About the dollar figures: “reimbursed” is what Medicaid paid pharmacies before confidential manufacturer rebates, so the program’s real net cost is lower than these numbers. Fee-for-service and managed-care claims are combined unless split above. Source: CMS State Drug Utilization Data; per-100k rates use 2023 Census population estimates.

📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)

Medicare Part D (outpatient prescription) spending for Ruxience — the program that covers self-administered drugs. 1 manufacturer.
⚠️ Drug-level data: CMS publishes Part D spending by drug, not by NDC — these figures combine every manufacturer, strength and package size sold under the name Ruxience. That’s a different level of aggregation than the Medicaid card above, which is specific to this exact 11-digit NDC (pack size included), so the two aren’t directly comparable.
Period
Total Part D spend
$16.47M
Claims incl. refills
2K
Beneficiaries
1.4K
Spend / beneficiary
$11,909.49
Spend / claim
$8,089.80
Trend by period
💵 About the dollar figures: spending is what Part D plans paid before confidential manufacturer rebates, so the program’s real net cost is lower. A blank patient count means fewer than 11 people — CMS hides counts that small to protect privacy. Source: CMS Medicare Quarterly Part D Spending by Drug (data.cms.gov), updated quarterly.

🔬 Reported adverse events (FAERS)

Read carefully: FAERS reports are voluntary and unverified. Counts are not incidence, do not establish causation, are subject to reporting bias, and cannot be used to compare one drug to another. Shown for signal context only. Reports for Rituximab-pvvr — the ingredient across all brands.

Top reported reactions

Condition Aggravated613
Fatigue400
Death375
Dyspnoea368
Covid-19358
Nausea346
Headache335

Age at onset

Neonate1
Adolescent1
Adult111
Elderly87

Reporter sex

5,068 reports
Male · 34%
Female · 65%
Unknown · 1%

Serious outcomes

Hospitalization1,243
Death471
Life-threatening137
Disabling58
Reports over time (by year) — tap or hover for the count & year
2020 2022 2024 2026 1,210 0
Most recent year is provisional (FAERS lags ~3 months).
Where does this data come from?
Adverse-event reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) via openFDA. FAERS reports are voluntary and unverified — counts are not incidence and don’t establish causation.

📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product

Package NDCDescription Marketing startStatus
00069-0249-01 You're viewing this 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE in 1 CARTON (0069-0249-01) / 50 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE 2020-01-23 Active

🧭 About this NDC listing & data coverage

Finished prescription product
What data is (and isn’t) available for this NDC — tap to expand
NDC identity (package / product / labeler codes) ✓ Available
Labeler ✓ Available
Product & package description ✓ Available
Marketing category & status ✓ Available
Active ingredient / dosage form / route ✓ Available
FDA label (SPL via DailyMed) ✓ Available
Package photos ✓ Available
Inactive ingredients (structured) ✓ Available
NADAC pharmacy acquisition price (CMS) — Not published for this NDC CMS publishes NADAC only for NDCs reported in its retail-pharmacy survey.
Orange Book / therapeutic-equivalence data ✓ Available
HCPCS J-code billing crosswalk ✓ Available
Medicaid utilization (CMS SDUD) ✓ Available
“Not published” reflects what the public FDA / CMS / NLM sources provide for this exact package code — it is a property of the data feeds, not a judgment about the product.

Questions about this listing

Why is there no price listed?
The pricing shown on our NDC pages comes from CMS NADAC, a voluntary survey of retail community pharmacy invoices. CMS does not publish a NADAC for every NDC — packages outside the retail survey (institutional and hospital products, bulk packages, discontinued items, and many OTC items) may never receive one. A missing price reflects the survey's scope, not this product's actual cost, and does not mean the product is free or unavailable.
Is the NDC printed on the package the same as the 11-digit billing NDC?
Yes, they identify this exact package in different formats. The FDA registers it as 0069-0249-01, which is what is printed on the packaging and shown on DailyMed. Insurance claims use a fixed 11-digit 5-4-2 format, so the short segment is padded with a leading zero: 00069-0249-01, written without dashes as 00069024901. The Identity section at the top of this page lists every form of this code.
What do the three segments of this NDC mean?
In 00069-0249-01, the first segment (00069) is the labeler code FDA assigned to Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc; the middle segment (0249) identifies this specific product — its ingredient, strength, and dosage form; and the last segment (01) identifies this exact package size and type. Together they name one specific package of one specific product.
Is this package still being marketed?
Yes, per the latest FDA NDC Directory data on this page: this package is listed as actively marketed, with no marketing end date reported by Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc. Listing status can change — the directory data on this page refreshes weekly.
Who lists this product with the FDA?
Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc is the labeler of record for this NDC — the company under whose FDA-assigned code the package is listed. The labeler may be the manufacturer itself or a distributor marketing the product under its own code.
Do I need a prescription for this product?
This NDC is listed with FDA as a prescription product, so it is dispensed under a prescriber's order. Your pharmacist can tell you whether any over-the-counter forms of the same medication exist.
Does this product have a billing J-code?
Yes — this NDC cross-references HCPCS code Q5119 for medical-claim billing (typically used when a product is administered in a clinical setting rather than dispensed at a retail pharmacy). See the Billing section on this page.
This page identifies an FDA-listed package (the NDC) and reports public regulatory and pricing data about the listing. It is reference information, not a medical recommendation — talk to your pharmacist or prescriber about your own medication.
Where does this data come from?
Listing facts (marketing category, packager status, marketing dates) from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory; label availability from DailyMed; pricing coverage from CMS NADAC; equivalence scope from the FDA Orange Book.

📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL

The complete FDA label for this product — the official prescribing information, verbatim, section by section. Jump with a chip, search within the label, or expand everything.
🚨 Boxed Warning ~1 min read

WARNING: FATAL INFUSION-RELATED REACTIONS, SEVERE MUCOCUTANEOUS REACTIONS, HEPATITIS B VIRUS REACTIVATION and PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY Infusion-Related Reactions Administration of rituximab products can result in serious, including fatal, infusion-related reactions. Deaths within 24 hours of rituximab infusion have occurred. Approximately 80% of fatal infusion-related reactions occurred in association with the first infusion.

Monitor patients closely. Discontinue RUXIENCE infusion for severe reactions and provide medical treatment for Grade 3 or 4 infusion-related reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Severe Mucocutaneous Reactions Severe, including fatal, mucocutaneous reactions can occur in patients receiving rituximab products [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] .

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation HBV reactivation can occur in patients treated with rituximab products, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death. Screen all patients for HBV infection before treatment initiation, and monitor patients during and after treatment with RUXIENCE. Discontinue RUXIENCE and concomitant medications in the event of HBV reactivation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), including fatal PML, can occur in patients receiving rituximab products [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) , Adverse Reactions (6.3) ] . WARNING: FATAL INFUSION-RELATED REACTIONS, SEVERE MUCOCUTANEOUS REACTIONS, HEPATITIS B VIRUS REACTIVATION and PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. • Fatal infusion-related reactions within 24 hours of rituximab infusion; approximately 80% of fatal reactions occurred with first infusion.

Monitor patients and discontinue RUXIENCE infusion for severe reactions ( 5.1 , 6.1 ). • Severe mucocutaneous reactions, some with fatal outcomes ( 5.2 ). • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death ( 5.3 ). • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) resulting in death ( 5.4 , 6.3 ).

🎯 Indications and Usage ~2 min read

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE RUXIENCE is a CD20-directed cytolytic antibody indicated for the treatment of: • Adult patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) ( 1.1 ). o Relapsed or refractory, low grade or follicular, CD20-positive B-cell NHL as a single agent. o Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with first line chemotherapy and, in patients achieving a complete or partial response to a rituximab product in combination with chemotherapy, as single-agent maintenance therapy. o Non-progressing (including stable disease), low-grade, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent after first-line cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) chemotherapy. o Previously untreated diffuse large B-cell, CD20-positive NHL in combination with (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) (CHOP) or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens. • Adult patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) ( 1.2 ). o Previously untreated and previously treated CD20-positive CLL in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC). • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in combination with methotrexate in adult patients with moderately-to-severely-active RA who have inadequate response to one or more TNF antagonist therapies ( 1.3 ). • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener's Granulomatosis) and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA) in adult patients in combination with glucocorticoids ( 1.4 ). • Moderate to severe Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) in adult patients ( 1.5 ).

1.1Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) RUXIENCE is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with: • Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent. • Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with first line chemotherapy and, in patients achieving a complete or partial response to a rituximab product in combination with chemotherapy, as single-agent maintenance therapy. • Non-progressing (including stable disease), low-grade, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent after first-line cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) chemotherapy. • Previously untreated diffuse large B-cell, CD20-positive NHL in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone (CHOP) or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens.

1.2Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) RUXIENCE, in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated and previously treated CD20-positive CLL.

1.3Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) RUXIENCE, in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately-to-severely-active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) antagonist therapies.

1.4Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener's Granulomatosis) and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA) RUXIENCE, in combination with glucocorticoids, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener's Granulomatosis) and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA).

1.5Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) RUXIENCE is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe pemphigus vulgaris.

⏱️ Dosage and Administration ~3 min read

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Administer only as an intravenous infusion ( 2.1 ). • Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus ( 2.1 ). • RUXIENCE should only be administered by a healthcare professional with appropriate medical support to manage severe infusion-related reactions that can be fatal if they occur ( 2.1 ). • The dose for adult B-cell NHL is 375 mg/m 2 ( 2.2 ). • The dose for CLL is 375 mg/m 2 in the first cycle and 500 mg/m 2 in Cycles 2–6, in combination with FC, administered every 28 days ( 2.3 ). • The dose as a component of Zevalin ® (ibritumomab tiuxetan) Therapeutic Regimen is 250 mg/m 2 ( 2.4 ). • The dose for RA in combination with methotrexate is two-1,000 mg intravenous infusions separated by 2 weeks (one course) every 24 weeks or based on clinical evaluation, but not sooner than every 16 weeks.

Methylprednisolone 100 mg intravenous or equivalent glucocorticoid is recommended 30 minutes prior to each infusion ( 2.5 ). • The induction dose for adult patients with active GPA and MPA in combination with glucocorticoids is 375 mg/m 2 once weekly for 4 weeks. The follow up dose for adult patients with GPA and MPA who have achieved disease control with induction treatment, in combination with glucocorticoids is two 500 mg intravenous infusions separated by two weeks, followed by a 500 mg intravenous infusion every 6 months thereafter based on clinical evaluation ( 2.6 ). • The dose for PV is two-1,000 mg intravenous infusions separated by 2 weeks in combination with a tapering course of glucocorticoids, then a 500 mg intravenous infusion at Month 12 and every 6 months thereafter or based on clinical evaluation.

Dose upon relapse is a 1,000 mg intravenous infusion with considerations to resume or increase the glucocorticoid dose based on clinical evaluation. Subsequent infusions may be no sooner than 16 weeks after the previous infusion ( 2.7 ). Methylprednisolone 100 mg intravenous or equivalent glucocorticoid is recommended 30 minutes prior to each infusion ( 2.8 ).

2.1Important Dosing Information Administer only as an intravenous infusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.9) ] . Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus. RUXIENCE should only be administered by a healthcare professional with appropriate medical support to manage severe infusion-related reactions that can be fatal if they occur [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].

Premedicate before each infusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.8) ] . Prior to First Infusion Screen all patients for HBV infection by measuring HBsAg and anti-HBc before initiating treatment with RUXIENCE [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Obtain complete blood counts (CBC) including platelets prior to the first dose.

During RUXIENCE Therapy In patients with lymphoid malignancies, during treatment with RUXIENCE monotherapy, obtain complete blood counts (CBC) with differential and platelet counts prior to each RUXIENCE course. During treatment with RUXIENCE and chemotherapy, obtain CBC with differential and platelet counts at weekly to monthly intervals and more frequently in patients who develop cytopenias [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. In patients with RA, GPA or MPA, obtain CBC with differential and platelet counts at two to four month intervals during RUXIENCE therapy.

Continue to monitor for cytopenias after final dose and until resolution. • First Infusion Standard Infusion: Initiate infusion at a rate of 50 mg/hour. In the absence of infusion toxicity, increase infusion rate by 50 mg/hour increments every 30 minutes, to a maximum of 400 mg/hour. • Subsequent Infusions Standard Infusion: Initiate infusion at a rate of 100 mg/hour. In the absence of infusion toxicity, increase rate by 100 mg/hour increments at 30-minute intervals, to a maximum of 400 mg/hour.

For Previously Untreated Follicular NHL and DLBCL Adult Patients: If patients did not experience a Grade 3 or 4 infusion-related adverse event during Cycle 1, a 90-minute infusion can be adminis…

💊 Dosage Forms and Strengths 60 words

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Injection: RUXIENCE is a clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale brownish-yellow solution for intravenous infusion: • 100 mg/10 mL (10 mg/mL) in a single-dose vial • 500 mg/50 mL (10 mg/mL) in a single-dose vial Injection: 100 mg/10 mL (10 mg/mL) and 500 mg/50 mL (10 mg/mL) solution in single-dose vials ( 3 ).

Contraindications 7 words

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None ( 4 ).

⚠️ Warnings and Cautions ~3 min read

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Tumor lysis syndrome: Administer aggressive intravenous hydration, anti-hyperuricemic agents, monitor renal function ( 5.5 ). • Infections: Withhold RUXIENCE and institute appropriate anti-infective therapy ( 5.6 ). • Cardiac adverse reactions: Discontinue infusions in case of serious or life-threatening events ( 5.7 ). • Renal toxicity: Discontinue in patients with rising serum creatinine or oliguria ( 5.8 ). • Bowel obstruction and perforation: Consider and evaluate for abdominal pain, vomiting, or related symptoms ( 5.9 ). • Immunizations: Live virus vaccinations prior to or during RUXIENCE treatment are not recommended ( 5.10 ). • Embryo-Fetal toxicity: Can cause fetal harm.

Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and use of effective contraception ( 5.11 ).

5.1Infusion-Related Reactions Rituximab products can cause severe, including fatal, infusion-related reactions. Severe reactions typically occurred during the first infusion with time to onset of 30 to 120 minutes. Rituximab product-induced infusion-related reactions and sequelae include urticaria, hypotension, angioedema, hypoxia, bronchospasm, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, cardiogenic shock, anaphylactoid events, or death.

Premedicate patients with an antihistamine and acetaminophen prior to dosing. For RA, GPA and MPA , and PV patients, methylprednisolone 100 mg intravenously or its equivalent is recommended 30 minutes prior to each infusion. Institute medical management (e.g., glucocorticoids, epinephrine, bronchodilators, or oxygen) for infusion-related reactions as needed.

Depending on the severity of the infusion-related reaction and the required interventions, temporarily or permanently discontinue RUXIENCE. Resume infusion at a minimum 50% reduction in rate after symptoms have resolved. Closely monitor the following patients: those with pre-existing cardiac or pulmonary conditions, those who experienced prior cardiopulmonary adverse reactions, and those with high numbers of circulating malignant cells (greater than or equal to 25,000/mm 3 ) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) , Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] .

5.2Severe Mucocutaneous Reactions Mucocutaneous reactions, some with fatal outcome, can occur in patients treated with rituximab products. These reactions include paraneoplastic pemphigus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, lichenoid dermatitis, vesiculobullous dermatitis, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. The onset of these reactions has been variable and includes reports with onset on the first day of rituximab exposure.

Discontinue RUXIENCE in patients who experience a severe mucocutaneous reaction. The safety of re-administration of rituximab products to patients with severe mucocutaneous reactions has not been determined.

5.3Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death, can occur in patients treated with drugs classified as CD20-directed cytolytic antibodies, including rituximab products. Cases have been reported in patients who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and also in patients who are HBsAg negative but are hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) positive. Reactivation also has occurred in patients who appear to have resolved hepatitis B infection (i.e., HBsAg negative, anti-HBc positive and hepatitis B surface antibody [anti-HBs] positive).

HBV reactivation is defined as an abrupt increase in HBV replication manifesting as a rapid increase in serum HBV DNA levels or detection of HBsAg in a person who was previously HBsAg negative and anti-HBc positive. Reactivation of HBV replication is often followed by hepatitis, i.e., increase in transaminase levels. In severe cases increase in bilirubin levels, liver failure, and death can occur.

Screen all patients for HBV infection by measuring HBsAg and anti-HB…

🤒 Adverse Reactions ~3 min read

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: • Infusion-related reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Severe mucocutaneous reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] • Hepatitis B reactivation with fulminant hepatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] • Tumor lysis syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] • Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] • Cardiovascular adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] • Renal toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] • Bowel obstruction and perforation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Most common adverse reactions in clinical trials were: • NHL (greater than or equal to 25%): infusion-related reactions, fever, lymphopenia, chills, infection and asthenia ( 6.1 ). • CLL (greater than or equal to 25%): infusion-related reactions and neutropenia ( 6.1 ). • RA (greater than or equal to 10%): upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, urinary tract infection, and bronchitis (other important adverse reactions include infusion-related reactions, serious infections, and cardiovascular events) ( 6.1 ). • GPA and MPA (greater than or equal to 15%): infections, nausea, diarrhea, headache, muscle spasms, anemia, peripheral edema, infusion-related reactions ( 6.1 ). • PV (greater than or equal to 15%): infusion-related reactions, depression, upper respiratory tract infection/nasopharyngitis, headache (other important adverse reactions include infections) ( 6.1 ).

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Pfizer Inc. at 1-800-438-1985 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

6.1Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. B-Cell Malignancies The data described below reflect exposure to rituximab in 3,092 patients, with exposures ranging from a single infusion up to 2 years. Rituximab was studied in both single-arm and controlled trials (n=356 and n=2,427).

The population included 1,180 patients with low grade or follicular lymphoma, 927 patients with DLBCL, 676 patients with CLL, and 309 patients with another indication. Most NHL patients received rituximab as an infusion of 375 mg/m 2 per infusion, given as a single agent weekly for up to 8 doses, in combination with chemotherapy for up to 8 doses, or following chemotherapy for up to 16 doses. CLL patients received rituximab 375 mg/m 2 as an initial infusion followed by 500 mg/m 2 for up to 5 doses, in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide.

Seventy-one percent of CLL patients received 6 cycles and 90% received at least 3 cycles of rituximab-based therapy. The most common adverse reactions of rituximab (incidence greater than or equal to 25%) observed in clinical trials of patients with NHL were infusion-related reactions, fever, lymphopenia, chills, infection, and asthenia. The most common adverse reactions of rituximab (incidence greater than or equal to 25%) observed in clinical trials of patients with CLL were: infusion-related reactions and neutropenia.

Infusion-Related Reactions In the majority of patients with NHL, infusion-related reactions consisting of fever, chills/rigors, nausea, pruritus, angioedema, hypotension, headache, bronchospasm, urticaria, rash, vomiting, myalgia, dizziness, or hypertension occurred during the first rituximab infusion. Infusion-related reactions typically occurred within 30 to 120 minutes of beginning the first infusion and resolved with slowing or interruption of the rituximab infusion and with supportive care (diphenhydramine, acetaminophen, and intravenous saline).

The incidence of infusion-re…

🔄 Drug Interactions 59 words

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Formal drug interaction studies have not been performed with rituximab products. In patients with CLL, rituximab did not alter systemic exposure to fludarabine or cyclophosphamide. In clinical trials of patients with RA, concomitant administration of methotrexate or cyclophosphamide did not alter the pharmacokinetics of rituximab. Renal toxicity when used in combination with cisplatin ( 5.8 ).

👥 Use in Specific Populations ~3 min read

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS • Lactation: Advise not to breastfeed ( 8.2 ). • Geriatric Use: In CLL patients older than 70 years of age, exploratory analyses suggest no benefit with the addition of rituximab to FC ( 8.5 ).

8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on human data, rituximab products can cause adverse developmental outcomes including B-cell lymphocytopenia in infants exposed in-utero (see Clinical Considerations ) . In animal reproduction studies, intravenous administration of rituximab to pregnant cynomolgus monkeys during the period of organogenesis caused lymphoid B-cell depletion in the newborn offspring at doses resulting in 80% of the exposure (based on AUC) of those achieved following a dose of 2 grams in humans. Advise pregnant women of the risk to a fetus.

Adverse outcomes in pregnancy occur regardless of the health of the mother or the use of medications. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. The estimated background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2%–4% and of miscarriage is 15%–20% of clinically recognized pregnancies.

Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Observe newborns and infants for signs of infection and manage accordingly. Data Human Data Postmarketing data indicate that B-cell lymphocytopenia generally lasting less than six months can occur in infants exposed to rituximab in-utero. Rituximab was detected postnatally in the serum of infants exposed in-utero.

Animal Data An embryo-fetal developmental toxicity study was performed on pregnant cynomolgus monkeys. Pregnant animals received rituximab via the intravenous route during early gestation (organogenesis period; post coitum Days 20 through 50). Rituximab was administered as loading doses on post coitum (PC) Days 20, 21, and 22, at 15, 37.5, or 75 mg/kg/day, and then weekly on PC Days 29, 36, 43, and 50, at 20, 50, or 100 mg/kg/week.

The 100 mg/kg/week dose resulted in 80% of the exposure (based on AUC) of those achieved following a dose of 2 grams in humans. Rituximab crosses the monkey placenta. Exposed offspring did not exhibit any teratogenic effects but did have decreased lymphoid tissue B cells.

A subsequent pre- and postnatal reproductive toxicity study in cynomolgus monkeys was completed to assess developmental effects including the recovery of B cells and immune function in infants exposed to rituximab in-utero. Animals were treated with a loading dose of 0, 15, or 75 mg/kg every day for 3 days, followed by weekly dosing with 0, 20, or 100 mg/kg dose. Subsets of pregnant females were treated from PC Day 20 through postpartum Day 78, PC Day 76 through PC Day 134, and from PC Day 132 through delivery and postpartum Day 28.

Regardless of the timing of treatment, decreased B cells and immunosuppression were noted in the offspring of rituximab-treated pregnant animals. The B-cell counts returned to normal levels, and immunologic function was restored within 6 months postpartum.

8.2Lactation There are limited data on the presence of rituximab in human milk, and the effect on the breastfed child, and there are no data on the effect on milk production. Rituximab is detected in the milk of lactating cynomolgus monkeys, and maternal IgG is present in human breast milk. Rituximab has also been reported to be excreted at low concentrations in human breast milk.

Given that the clinical significance of this finding for children is not known, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with RUXIENCE and for 6 months after the last dose due to the potential of serious adverse reactions in breastfed children.

8.3Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Rituximab products can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Pregnancy Testing Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating RUXIENCE. Contraception Females Advise females of reproductive potentia…

🤰 Pregnancy ~2 min read

8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on human data, rituximab products can cause adverse developmental outcomes including B-cell lymphocytopenia in infants exposed in-utero (see Clinical Considerations ) . In animal reproduction studies, intravenous administration of rituximab to pregnant cynomolgus monkeys during the period of organogenesis caused lymphoid B-cell depletion in the newborn offspring at doses resulting in 80% of the exposure (based on AUC) of those achieved following a dose of 2 grams in humans. Advise pregnant women of the risk to a fetus.

Adverse outcomes in pregnancy occur regardless of the health of the mother or the use of medications. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. The estimated background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2%–4% and of miscarriage is 15%–20% of clinically recognized pregnancies.

Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Observe newborns and infants for signs of infection and manage accordingly. Data Human Data Postmarketing data indicate that B-cell lymphocytopenia generally lasting less than six months can occur in infants exposed to rituximab in-utero. Rituximab was detected postnatally in the serum of infants exposed in-utero.

Animal Data An embryo-fetal developmental toxicity study was performed on pregnant cynomolgus monkeys. Pregnant animals received rituximab via the intravenous route during early gestation (organogenesis period; post coitum Days 20 through 50). Rituximab was administered as loading doses on post coitum (PC) Days 20, 21, and 22, at 15, 37.5, or 75 mg/kg/day, and then weekly on PC Days 29, 36, 43, and 50, at 20, 50, or 100 mg/kg/week.

The 100 mg/kg/week dose resulted in 80% of the exposure (based on AUC) of those achieved following a dose of 2 grams in humans. Rituximab crosses the monkey placenta. Exposed offspring did not exhibit any teratogenic effects but did have decreased lymphoid tissue B cells.

A subsequent pre- and postnatal reproductive toxicity study in cynomolgus monkeys was completed to assess developmental effects including the recovery of B cells and immune function in infants exposed to rituximab in-utero. Animals were treated with a loading dose of 0, 15, or 75 mg/kg every day for 3 days, followed by weekly dosing with 0, 20, or 100 mg/kg dose. Subsets of pregnant females were treated from PC Day 20 through postpartum Day 78, PC Day 76 through PC Day 134, and from PC Day 132 through delivery and postpartum Day 28.

Regardless of the timing of treatment, decreased B cells and immunosuppression were noted in the offspring of rituximab-treated pregnant animals. The B-cell counts returned to normal levels, and immunologic function was restored within 6 months postpartum.

🧒 Pediatric Use 56 words

8.4Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of RUXIENCE have not been established in pediatric patients with NHL, CLL, PV or RA. Rituximab was not studied in pediatric patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA) due to concerns regarding the potential for prolonged immunosuppression as a result of B-cell depletion in the developing juvenile immune system.

🧓 Geriatric Use ~3 min read

8.5Geriatric Use Diffuse Large B-Cell NHL Among patients with DLBCL evaluated in three randomized, active-controlled trials, 927 patients received rituximab in combination with chemotherapy. Of these, 396 (43%) were age 65 or greater and 123 (13%) were age 75 or greater. No overall differences in effectiveness were observed between these patients and younger patients.

Cardiac adverse reactions, mostly supraventricular arrhythmias, occurred more frequently among elderly patients. Serious pulmonary adverse reactions were also more common among the elderly, including pneumonia and pneumonitis. Low-Grade or Follicular Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Patients with previously untreated follicular NHL evaluated in NHL Study 5 were randomized to rituximab as single-agent maintenance therapy (n=505) or observation (n=513) after achieving a response to rituximab in combination with chemotherapy.

Of these, 123 (24%) patients in the rituximab arm were age 65 or older. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these patients and younger patients. Other clinical studies of rituximab in low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Among patients with CLL evaluated in two randomized active-controlled trials, 243 of 676 rituximab-treated patients (36%) were 65 years of age or older; of these, 100 rituximab-treated patients (15%) were 70 years of age or older. In exploratory analyses defined by age, there was no observed benefit from the addition of rituximab to fludarabine and cyclophosphamide among patients 70 years of age or older in CLL Study 1 or in CLL Study 2; there was also no observed benefit from the addition of rituximab to fludarabine and cyclophosphamide among patients 65 years of age or older in CLL Study 2 [see Clinical Studies (14.5) ] .

Patients 70 years or older received lower dose intensity of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide compared to younger patients, regardless of the addition of rituximab. In CLL Study 1, the dose intensity of rituximab was similar in older and younger patients, however in CLL Study 2 older patients received a lower dose intensity of rituximab. The incidence of Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions was higher among patients receiving R-FC who were 70 years or older compared to younger patients for neutropenia [44% vs.

31% (CLL Study 1); 56% vs. 39% (CLL Study 2)], febrile neutropenia [16% vs. 6% (NHL Study 10 (NCT00719472))], anemia [5% vs.

2% (CLL Study 1); 21% vs. 10% (CLL Study 2)], thrombocytopenia [19% vs. 8% (CLL Study 2)], pancytopenia [7% vs.

2% (CLL Study 1); 7% vs. 2% (CLL Study 2)], and infections [30% vs. 14% (CLL Study 2)].

Rheumatoid Arthritis Among the 2,578 patients in global RA studies completed to date, 12% were 65–75 years old and 2% were 75 years old and older. The incidences of adverse reactions were similar between older and younger patients. The rates of serious adverse reactions, including serious infections, malignancies, and cardiovascular events were higher in older patients.

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener's Granulomatosis) and Microscopic Polyangiitis Of the 99 rituximab-treated GPA and MPA patients in GPA/MPA Study 1, 36 (36%) were 65 years old and over, while 8 (8%) were 75 years and over. No overall differences in efficacy were observed between patients that were 65 years old and over and younger patients. The overall incidence and rate of all serious adverse events was higher in patients 65 years old and over.

The clinical study did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. In GPA/MPA Study 2, 30 (26%) of the enrolled patients were at least 65 years old, of which 12 patients were exposed to non-U.S.-licensed rituximab and 18 were exposed to azathioprine. The clinical study did not include…

🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ~3 min read

12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

12.1Mechanism of Action Rituximab-pvvr is a monoclonal antibody. Rituximab products target the CD20 antigen expressed on the surface of pre-B and mature B-lymphocytes. Upon binding to CD20, rituximab products mediate B-cell lysis.

Possible mechanisms of cell lysis include complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). B cells are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and associated chronic synovitis. In this setting, B cells may be acting at multiple sites in the autoimmune/inflammatory process, including through production of rheumatoid factor (RF) and other autoantibodies, antigen presentation, T-cell activation, and/or proinflammatory cytokine production.

12.2Pharmacodynamics Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) In NHL patients, administration of rituximab resulted in depletion of circulating and tissue-based B cells. Among 166 patients in NHL Study 1 (NCT000168740), circulating CD19-positive B cells were depleted within the first three weeks with sustained depletion for up to 6 to 9 months post treatment in 83% of patients. B-cell recovery began at approximately 6 months and median B-cell levels returned to normal by 12 months following completion of treatment.

There were sustained and statistically significant reductions in both IgM and IgG serum levels observed from 5 through 11 months following rituximab administration; 14% of patients had IgM and/or IgG serum levels below the normal range. Rheumatoid Arthritis In RA patients, treatment with rituximab-induced depletion of peripheral B-lymphocytes, with the majority of patients demonstrating near complete depletion (CD19 counts below the lower limit of quantification, 20 cells/µL) within 2 weeks after receiving the first dose of rituximab.

The majority of patients showed peripheral B-cell depletion for at least 6 months. A small proportion of patients (~4%) had prolonged peripheral B-cell depletion lasting more than 3 years after a single course of treatment. Total serum immunoglobulin levels, IgM, IgG, and IgA were reduced at 6 months with the greatest change observed in IgM.

At Week 24 of the first course of rituximab treatment, small proportions of patients experienced decreases in IgM (10%), IgG (2.8%), and IgA (0.8%) levels below the lower limit of normal (LLN). In the experience with rituximab in RA patients during repeated rituximab treatment, 23.3%, 5.5%, and 0.5% of patients experienced decreases in IgM, IgG, and IgA concentrations below LLN at any time after receiving rituximab, respectively. The clinical consequences of decreases in immunoglobulin levels in RA patients treated with rituximab are unclear.

Treatment with rituximab in patients with RA was associated with reduction of certain biologic markers of inflammation such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid protein (SAA), S100 A8/S100 A9 heterodimer complex (S100 A8/9), anti-citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), and RF. Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener's Granulomatosis) and Microscopic Polyangiitis In GPA and MPA patients in GPA/MPA Study 1, peripheral blood CD19 B-cells depleted to less than 10 cells/μL following the first two infusions of rituximab, and remained at that level in most (84%) patients through Month 6.

By Month 12, the majority of patients (81%) showed signs of B-cell return with counts greater than 10 cells/μL. By Month 18, most patients (87%) had counts greater than 10 cells/μL. In GPA/MPA Study 2 where patients received non-U.S.-licensed rituximab as two 500 mg intravenous infusions separated by two weeks, followed by a 500 mg intravenous infusion at Month 6, 12, and 18, 70% (30 out of 43) of the rituximab-treated patients with CD19+ peripheral B cells evaluated post-baseline had undetectable CD19+ peripheral B cells at Month 24.

At Month 24, all 37 patients with evaluable baseline CD19+ peripheral B cells and Month 24 measurements had lower CD19…

🧬 Mechanism of Action 102 words

12.1Mechanism of Action Rituximab-pvvr is a monoclonal antibody. Rituximab products target the CD20 antigen expressed on the surface of pre-B and mature B-lymphocytes. Upon binding to CD20, rituximab products mediate B-cell lysis.

Possible mechanisms of cell lysis include complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). B cells are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and associated chronic synovitis. In this setting, B cells may be acting at multiple sites in the autoimmune/inflammatory process, including through production of rheumatoid factor (RF) and other autoantibodies, antigen presentation, T-cell activation, and/or proinflammatory cytokine production.

📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling 79 words

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING RUXIENCE (rituximab-pvvr) injection is a sterile, preservative-free, clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale brownish-yellow solution for intravenous infusion supplied as follows: Carton contents NDC number One 100 mg/10 mL (10 mg/mL) single-dose vial NDC 0069-0238-01 One 500 mg/50 mL (10 mg/mL) single-dose vial NDC 0069-0249-01 Store RUXIENCE vials refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in the original carton. RUXIENCE vials should be protected from direct sunlight. Do not freeze or shake.

📦 Storage and Handling 28 words

Store RUXIENCE vials refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in the original carton. RUXIENCE vials should be protected from direct sunlight. Do not freeze or shake.

📋 Description 124 words

11 DESCRIPTION Rituximab-pvvr is a genetically engineered chimeric murine/human monoclonal IgG 1 kappa antibody directed against the CD20 antigen. Rituximab-pvvr has an approximate molecular weight of 145 kD. Rituximab-pvvr is produced by mammalian cell (Chinese Hamster Ovary) suspension culture in a nutrient medium.

RUXIENCE (rituximab-pvvr) injection is a sterile, preservative-free, clear to slightly opalescent, colorless to pale brownish-yellow solution for intravenous infusion. RUXIENCE is supplied at a concentration of 10 mg/mL in either 100 mg/10 mL or 500 mg/50 mL single-dose vials. Each mL of solution contains 10 mg rituximab-pvvr, 0.056 mg of edetate disodium dihydrate, 1.2 mg of L-histidine, 2.57 mg of L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, 0.2 mg of polysorbate 80, 85 mg of sucrose, and Water for Injection, USP.

The pH is 5.8.

💬 Information for Patients ~2 min read

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide). Infusion-Related Reactions Inform patients about the signs and symptoms of infusion-related reactions. Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately to report symptoms of infusion-related reactions including urticaria, hypotension, angioedema, sudden cough, breathing problems, weakness, dizziness, palpitations, or chest pain [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] .

Severe Mucocutaneous Reactions Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately for symptoms of severe mucocutaneous reactions, including painful sores or ulcers on the mouth, blisters, peeling skin, rash, and pustules [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately for symptoms of hepatitis including worsening fatigue or yellow discoloration of skin or eyes [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately for signs and symptoms of PML, including new or changes in neurological symptoms such as confusion, dizziness or loss of balance, difficulty talking or walking, decreased strength or weakness on one side of the body, or vision problems [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] .

Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS) Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately for signs and symptoms of tumor lysis syndrome such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . Infections Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately for signs and symptoms of infections including fever, cold symptoms (e.g., rhinorrhea or laryngitis), flu symptoms (e.g., cough, fatigue, body aches), earache or headache, dysuria, oral herpes simplex infection, and painful wounds with erythema and advise patients of the increased risk of infections during and after treatment with RUXIENCE [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] .

Cardiovascular Adverse Reactions Advise patients of the risk of cardiovascular adverse reactions, including ventricular fibrillation, myocardial infarction, and cardiogenic shock. Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately to report chest pain and irregular heartbeats [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] . Renal Toxicity Advise patients of the risk of renal toxicity.

Inform patients of the need for healthcare providers to monitor kidney function [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] . Bowel Obstruction and Perforation Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately for signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction and perforation, including severe abdominal pain or repeated vomiting [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] . Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.

Advise females of reproductive potential to inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) , Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with RUXIENCE and for 12 months after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3) ] . Lactation Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with RUXIENCE and for 6 months after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2) ] .

💬 Medication Guide ~3 min read

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Revised: 4/2026 MEDICATION GUIDE RUXIENCE ® (RUKSee-ents) (rituximab-pvvr) injection What is the most important information I should know about RUXIENCE? RUXIENCE can cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including: • Infusion-related reactions.

Infusion-related reactions are very common side effects of RUXIENCE treatment. Serious infusion-related reactions can happen during your infusion or within 24 hours after your infusion of RUXIENCE. Your healthcare provider should give you medicines before your infusion of RUXIENCE to decrease your chance of having a severe infusion-related reaction.

Tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms during or after an infusion of RUXIENCE: o hives (red itchy welts) or rash o itching o swelling of your lips, tongue, throat or face o sudden cough o shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or wheezing o weakness o dizziness or feel faint o palpitations (feel like your heart is racing or fluttering) o chest pain • Severe skin and mouth reactions. Tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms at any time during your treatment with RUXIENCE: o painful sores or ulcers on your skin, lips or in your mouth o blisters o peeling skin o rash o pustules • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation.

Before you receive your RUXIENCE treatment, your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for HBV infection. If you have had hepatitis B or are a carrier of hepatitis B virus, receiving RUXIENCE could cause the virus to become an active infection again. Hepatitis B reactivation may cause serious liver problems including liver failure, and death.

You should not receive RUXIENCE if you have active hepatitis B liver disease. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for hepatitis B infection during and for several months after you stop receiving RUXIENCE. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get worsening tiredness, or yellowing of your skin or white part of your eyes, during treatment with RUXIENCE. • Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML).

PML is a rare, serious brain infection caused by a virus that can happen in people who receive RUXIENCE. People with weakened immune systems can get PML. PML can result in death or severe disability.

There is no known treatment, prevention, or cure for PML. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms or if anyone close to you notices these symptoms: o confusion o dizziness or loss of balance o difficulty walking or talking o decreased strength or weakness on one side of your body o vision problems See " What are the possible side effects of RUXIENCE? " for more information about side effects. What is RUXIENCE?

RUXIENCE is a prescription medicine used to treat: • Adults with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL): alone or with other chemotherapy medicines. • Adults with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): with the chemotherapy medicines fludarabine and cyclophosphamide. • Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): with another prescription medicine called methotrexate, to reduce the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe active RA in adults, after treatment with at least one other medicine called a Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) antagonist has been used and did not work well. • Adults with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener's Granulomatosis) and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA): with glucocorticoids, to treat GPA and MPA. • Adults with Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV): to treat moderate to severe PV.

RUXIENCE is not indicated for treatment of children. Before you receive RUXIENCE, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: • have had a severe reaction to RUXIENCE or another rituximab product • have a history of heart problems, irregular heart beat or chest pain • have lung or kidney problems • hav…

Source: FDA Structured Product Labeling, mirrored from DailyMed / openFDA. Prefer the government’s original formatting? View this label on DailyMed ↗
For educational and professional reference only — not medical advice. Pricing reflects published NADAC and CMS ASP (free public data) and may differ from your acquisition cost; always verify before billing or dispensing.