What Is Ruxience?

Ruxience is a CD20-directed cytolytic antibody used to treat certain autoimmune diseases and types of cancer. It is an FDA- approved biosimilar to Rituxan (rituximab).

Patients should be under the care of a clinician experienced with using rituximab for the specific indication they are being treated for.

Pretreatment immunizations

When feasible, administer appropriate immunizations 4 weeks or more before starting therapy.

Prophylaxis against opportunistic infection and viral reactivation may be warranted during and up to 12 months after completion of rituximab therapy.

Premedication

The manufacturer’s labeling recommends premedicating about 30 minutes prior to administration with acetaminophen, an antihistamine, and methylprednisolone 100 mg (IV) or equivalent for adults.

Ruxience Dosing Information

Immune thrombocytopenia (alternative agent) (off-label use):

IV dose: 375 mg/m2 once weekly for 4 doses.

Rheumatoid arthritis (Rituxan and rituximab biosimilars) (alternative agent):

Initial IV dose: 1 g once every 2 weeks for 2 doses; subsequent courses of 1 g once every 2 weeks for 2 doses may be administered every 24 weeks or as indicated based on clinical evaluation, but no sooner than every 16 weeks.

Multiple sclerosis (off-label use):

IV dose: 1 g once every 2 weeks for 2 doses; then repeat 1 g once every 6 to 12 months. Alternatively, administer 500 mg to 1 g once every 6 to 12 months.

Myasthenia gravis, refractory or muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibody-positive (off-label use):

IV dose: 1 g once every 2 weeks for 2 doses or 375 mg/m2 once weekly for 4 weeks; full or partial course may be repeated at preplanned intervals (e.g., 6 months) or as clinically indicated based on symptoms and lymphocyte recovery.