Rituxan vs. Ocrevus

• Are Ocrevus and Rituxan the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Rituxan?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Ocrevus?
• What is Rituxan?
• What is Ocrevus?
• What Drugs Interact with Rituxan?
• What Drugs Interact with Ocrevus?
• How Should Rituxan Be Taken?
• How Should Ocrevus Be Taken?

Rituxan (rituximab) and Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) are monoclonal antibodies used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).

Rituxan is used off-label to treat MS.

Rituxan is also used in combination with other cancer medicines to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and in combination with another drug called methotrexate to treat symptoms of adult rheumatoid arthritis.

Common side effects of Rituxan include:

• headache,
• fever,
• chills,
• stomach pain,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• heartburn,
• flushing,
• night sweats,
• weakness,
• muscle or joint pain,
• back pain, or
• dizziness.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Rituxan including:

• increased thirst or urination,
• swelling of the hands or feet, or
• tingling of the hands or feet.

Common side effects of Ocrevus include:

• upper respiratory tract infections,
• infusion reactions (itching, rash, hives, redness, bronchospasm, swollen and sore throat, mouth pain, shortness of breath, flushing, hypotension, fever, fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, and fast heart rate),
• skin infections,
• lower respiratory tract infections,
• depression,
• back pain, and
• pain in the extremities.

Rituxan (rituximab) is a cancer medication used in combination with other cancer medicines to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Rituxan is also used in combination with another drug called methotrexate to treat symptoms of adult rheumatoid arthritis.

Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) injection is aCD20-directed cytolytic antibody indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsing or primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.

Rituxan may interact with cisplatin, adalimumab, auranofin, azathioprine, cyclosporine, etanercept, infliximab, leflunomide, minocycline, sulfasalazine, blood pressure medications, or medication to treat malaria.

Ocrevus may interact with other immune-modulating or immunosuppressive therapies, including immunosuppressant doses of corticosteroids. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Rituxan is administered under a physician's supervision. The dose of Rituxan varies depending on the disorder being treated and the number of infusions (doses) needed.

Hepatitis B virus screening is required before the first dose of Ocrevus. Pre-medicate with methylprednisolone (or an equivalent corticosteroid) and an antihistamine prior to each infusion. The starting dose of Ocrevus is 300 mg intravenous infusion, followed two weeks later by a second 300 mg intravenous infusion. Subsequent doses of Ocrevus are 600 mg intravenous infusion every 6 months.