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Compare Orencia vs. Rituxan

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Orencia (abatacept) and Rituxan (rituximab) are both medications used to treat autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but they work differently and have different uses. Orencia blocks certain proteins to lower inflammation and is available as an injection or infusion. Rituxan targets your B cells and is given only as an infusion. Orencia can be used in children as young as 2 years old for certain conditions, while Rituxan is used for both blood cancers and autoimmune conditions in adults and children as young as 6 months for some conditions. Orencia is typically given once a week or once a month, while Rituxan's dosing can range from weekly to every 6 months depending on the condition. Common side effects of Orencia include headache and dizziness, whereas Rituxan can cause fever, chills, and a higher risk of serious infusion-related reactions. Both medications increase the risk of infections, but Rituxan's risk can last up to a year or more after the last dose.

  • Orencia (abatacept)
    Rituxan (rituximab)
  • Orencia (abatacept)
    Rituxan (rituximab)

  • Summary of Orencia vs. Rituxan

    Summary for Biologic DMARD
    Prescription only

    Orencia (abatacept) is an injectable biologic medication used for different types of autoimmune arthritis (joint inflammation), including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). It's given as an injection under the skin once a week or as an infusion through the veins (IV) in the clinic once a month. Common side effects include infection, headache, and dizziness.

    Summary for Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody
    Prescription only

    Rituxan (rituximab) is a monoclonal antibody. It treats certain types of blood cancers (e.g., non-Hodgkin lymphoma) and autoimmune conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) by targeting specific immune cells. Rituxan (rituximab) is given as an infusion through the vein (IV), typically at an infusion center. Your oncologist will give you premedications before each dose to lower the risk of serious infusion-related reactions. Other possible side effects of this medication include rash and weakness. Rituxan (rituximab) is available as many different brands (or biosimilars), but they don't all treat the same conditions.

  • Indications of Orencia vs. Rituxan

    Indications for
    •Moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults
    •Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults
    •Moderate-to-severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in children ages 2 years and older
    •Prevention of short-term graft versus host disease (GVHD) in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor and methotrexate in adults and children ages 2 years and older
    Indications for

    Blood cancers

    •Certain types of CD20-positive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) in adults and children ages 6 months and older
    •CD20-positive chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in adults

    Autoimmune conditions

    •Moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults
    •Granulomatosis with polyangitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangitis (MPA) in adults and children ages 2 years and older
    •Moderate to severe pemphigus vulgaris in adults

  • Pros and Cons of Orencia vs. Rituxan

    Pros and Const for Biologic DMARD
    Pros
    •Can be used in children age 2 years and older (for certain conditions)
    •Comes as a prefilled syringe or autoinjector for easy at-home injections
    •Clinic infusions are available for people who don't like to give themselves injections and are generally given only once a month
    •SQ injections are given once weekly and IV infusions are given once monthly
    Cons
    •Raises your risk for infections because it weakens your immune system
    •Can't be used with other biologic medications because higher risk of infection
    •Can take 3 to 6 months to notice an improvement in your symptoms (for arthritis)
    •Only treats the symptoms and isn't a cure for inflammatory problems
    Pros and Const for Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody
    Pros
    •Works in a more targeted, specific way than chemotherapy
    •Might only need a dose once every 6 months for certain conditions
    •Doesn’t typically cause hair loss
    Cons
    •Can cause serious infusion-related reactions
    •Each infusion can last over 3 hours, so can be inconvenient
    •Higher risk of infections can last a year after your last dose (sometimes longer)

  • Common Side Effects of Orencia vs. Rituxan

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (18%)
    •Sore throat, runny nose, or other cold-like symptoms (12%)
    •Dizziness (9%)
    •Cough (8%)
    •Back pain (7%)
    •High blood pressure (7%)
    •Upset stomach (6%)
    •Pain while urinating and other symptoms of an urinary tract infection (6%)

    Please note: The side effects above were reported by adults who received Orencia (abatacept) for rheumatoid arthritis. The side effects you experience might be different if you're taking Orencia (abatacept) for a different condition or if you're injecting it under the skin.

    Common Side Effects for
    •Fever (53%)
    •Lower white blood cell counts (up to 48%)
    •Chills (33%)
    •Infection (31%)
    •Weakness (26%)
    •Nausea (23%)
    •Headache (19%)
    •Night sweats (15%)
    •Rash (15%)

    Please note: Side effects listed were reported by people who took Rituxan (rituximab) alone for NHL in clinical studies.

  • Warnings of Orencia vs. Rituxan

    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of serious infections
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Vaccines
    •Worsening breathing problems
    •Falsely high blood sugars
    Common Side Effects for
    •Infusion-related reactions
    •Serious skin reactions
    •Hepatitis B reactivation
    •Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
    •Tumor lysis syndrome
    •Serious infections
    •Serious heart problems
    •Kidney problems
    •Gut blockage and tears
    •Vaccines
    •Harm to unborn baby
    •Combination treatment for people with autoimmune conditions

  • Prices with our coupons for Orencia vs. Rituxan

    Learn more about Orencia
    Learn more about Rituxan

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