Rituxan

Drug Description

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Rituxan®
(rituximab)

WARNINGS

Fatal Infusion Reactions: Deaths within 24 hours of Rituxan infusion have been reported. These fatal reactions followed an infusion reaction complex, which included hypoxia, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, or cardiogenic shock. Approximately 80% of fatal infusion reactions occurred in association with the first infusion. (See WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS.)

Patients who develop severe infusion reactions should have Rituxan infusion discontinued and receive medical treatment.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS): Acute renal failure requiring dialysis with instances of fatal outcome has been reported in the setting of TLS following treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients with Rituxan. (See WARNINGS.)

Severe Mucocutaneous Reactions: Severe mucocutaneous reactions, some with fatal outcome, have been reported in association with Rituxan treatment. (See WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS.)

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): JC virus infection resulting in PML and death has been reported in patients treated with Rituxan. (See WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS.)

DRUG DESCRIPTION

The Rituxan® (Rituximab) antibody is a genetically engineered chimeric murine/human monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen found on the surface of normal and malignant B lymphocytes. The antibody is an IgG₁ kappa immunoglobulin containing murine light- and heavy-chain variable region sequences and human constant region sequences. Rituximab is composed of two heavy chains of 451 amino acids and two light chains of 213 amino acids (based on cDNA analysis) and has an approximate molecular weight of 145 kD. Rituximab has a binding affinity for the CD20 antigen of approximately 8.0 nM.

The chimeric anti-CD20 antibody is produced by mammalian cell (Chinese Hamster Ovary) suspension culture in a nutrient medium containing the antibiotic gentamicin. Gentamicin is not detectable in the final product. The anti-CD20 antibody is purified by affinity and ion exchange chromatography. The purification process includes specific viral inactivation and removal procedures. Rituximab Drug Product is manufactured from bulk Drug Substance manufactured by Genentech, Inc. (US License No. 1048).

Rituxan is a sterile, clear, colorless, preservative-free liquid concentrate for intravenous (IV) administration. Rituxan is supplied at a concentration of 10 mg/mL in either 100 mg (10 mL) or 500 mg (50 mL) single-use vials. The product is formulated for IV administration in 9 mg/mL sodium chloride, 7.35 mg/mL sodium citrate dihydrate, 0.7 mg/mL polysorbate 80, and Water for Injection. The pH is adjusted to 6.5.

Brand Name: Rituxan
Generic Name: Rituximab

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