Rituxan vs. Tysabri

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

Rituxan (rituximab) and Tysabri (natalizumab) 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.

Tysabri is also used to treat moderate to severe Crohn's disease in adults. Tysabri is usually given after other Crohn's disease medications have been tried without successful treatment of this condition.

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 Tysabri include:

• headache,
• tired feeling,
• joint or muscle pain,
• redness or irritation at the injection site,
• swelling hands/feet/ankles,
• changes in menstrual cycle,
• stomach pain,
• diarrhea,
• skin rash,
• depression,
• painful menstrual cramps, or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, or sore throat.

Tell your doctor if you have side effects while Tysabri is being given or shortly after your treatment is finished (infusion reaction) including:

• chills,
• fever,
• flushing,
• nausea,
• dizziness, and
• chest pain.

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.

Tysabri (natalizumab) is a monoclonal antibody used in to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Tysabri is also used to treat moderate to severe Crohn's disease in adults. Tysabri is usually given after other Crohn's disease medications have been tried without successful treatment of this condition.

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

Tysabri may interact with other medicines, especially those that may affect the immune system such as: interferon, cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus, basiliximab, efalizumab, muromonab-CD3, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, leflunomide, etanercept, or chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

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.

The recommended dose of Tysabri for multiple sclerosis or Crohn's disease is 300 mg intravenous infusion over one hour every four weeks.