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Compare Rituxan vs. Actemra

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

Key takeaways

Rituxan (rituximab) and Actemra (tocilizumab) are both used to treat autoimmune conditions, but they work in different ways and treat different conditions. Rituxan (rituximab) is a monoclonal antibody that targets B cells, which can be involved in blood cancers and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. It is given as an intravenous infusion and can cause serious infusion-related reactions. Actemra (tocilizumab), on the other hand, is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist that blocks a chemical causing inflammation and fever. It treats conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and giant cell arteritis and can be given as an infusion or an injection under the skin. Actemra (tocilizumab) also has a biosimilar called Tofidence, while Rituxan (rituximab) has several biosimilars, but they don't all treat the same conditions. Both medications can increase the risk of infections, but Actemra (tocilizumab) can also cause liver problems and high cholesterol.

  • Rituxan (rituximab)
    Actemra (tocilizumab)
  • Rituxan (rituximab)
    Actemra (tocilizumab)

  • Summary of Rituxan vs. Actemra

    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.

    Summary for Biologic DMARD
    Prescription only

    Actemra (tocilizumab) is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist. It treats several inflammatory conditions in children and adults, including rheumatoid arthritis. It works by blocking IL-6, a chemical released by the immune system that causes inflammation and fever. Actemra (tocilizumab) is given as an injection (either through the veins or under the skin), typically weekly or every few weeks, depending on the condition you're taking it treat. There's also a biosimilar medication (Tofidence) available but it doesn't treat all the conditions that Actemra (tocilizumab) is approved for. Side effects of Actemra (tocilizumab) include a higher risk of infections and headache.

  • Indications of Rituxan vs. Actemra

    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
    Indications for
    •Moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults
    •Giant cell arteritis (GCA) in adults (Actemra brand only)
    •Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) in adults (Actemra brand only)
    •Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA) in people ages 2 years and older
    •Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) in people ages 2 years and older
    •Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in people ages 2 years and older (Actemra brand only)
    •COVID-19 infection in hospitalized adults who are receiving corticosteroids and require oxygen, mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (Actemra brand only)

  • Pros and Cons of Rituxan vs. Actemra

    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)
    Pros and Const for Biologic DMARD
    Pros
    •Typically given every 1 to 4 weeks
    •Can be used in children age 2 years and older (for some conditions)
    •Comes as a prefilled syringe or autoinjector for easy at-home injections under the skin (Actemra only)
    •Available as a biosimilar (Tofidence) for some conditions, so more options to choose from
    Cons
    •Needs to be given by an injection only
    •Only treats the symptoms and isn't a cure for inflammatory problems
    •Can cause liver problems
    •Raises your risk for infections because it weakens your immune system

  • Common Side Effects of Rituxan vs. Actemra

    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.

    Common Side Effects for
    •Upper respiratory tract infections (up to 7%)
    •Headache (up to 7%)
    •High blood pressure (up to 6%)
    •Higher liver enzymes (up to 6%)

    Please note: The side effects you experience might be differ depending on why you're taking Actemra (tocilizumab) and whether you're receive it IV or SC.

  • Warnings of Rituxan vs. Actemra

    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
    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of serious infections
    •Stomach tears and blockage
    •Worsening liver problems and risk of liver failure
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Lower white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts
    •High cholesterol
    •Serious allergic reactions
    •Vaccines

  • Prices with our coupons for Rituxan vs. Actemra

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    Learn more about Actemra

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