Key takeaways
Rituxan (rituximab) and Tysabri (natalizumab) are both monoclonal antibodies used to treat different conditions, but they have some key differences. Rituxan (rituximab) is used for certain blood cancers like non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, as well as autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. It works by targeting B cells in the immune system. Tysabri (natalizumab), on the other hand, is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) and Crohn's disease (CD) by blocking cells that cause inflammation. Rituxan (rituximab) infusions can take several hours and may be needed as infrequently as every six months, whereas Tysabri (natalizumab) is given once a month and takes about an hour. Both medications can cause serious side effects, but Tysabri (natalizumab) requires enrollment in the TOUCH Prescribing Program due to the risk of a severe brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
