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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)

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Rituxan

(rituximab)

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Summary for Orencia

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.

Indications for Orencia

Pros and Cons for Orencia

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

Common Side Effects for Orencia

  • 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.

Warnings for Orencia

  • Risk of serious infections
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Vaccines
  • Worsening breathing problems
  • Falsely high blood sugars

Summary for Rituxan

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 for Rituxan

Blood cancers

Autoimmune conditions

Pros and Cons for Rituxan

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 for Rituxan

  • 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 for Rituxan

  • 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

Price Card Drug Icon
Orencia1 carton / 4 clickject autoinjectors of 125mg/ml
$5,539.00$7,445.71
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Rituxan20 vials / 10ml of 10mg/ml
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