What is the difference between Rituxan and Rituxan Hycela?

Rituxan Hycela (rituximab and hyaluronidase human) includes the same monoclonal antibody as Rituxan (rituximab), but in combination with hyaluronidase, an enzyme that helps to deliver rituximab by subcutaneous injection under the skin. The original Rituxan is given only by intravenous (IV) infusion.

Rituxan Hycela is administered via subcutaneous injection to adults with the following blood cancers:

• follicular lymphoma
• diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
• chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Rituxan is administered via intravenous infusion for the following conditions:

• non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (including follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma)
• chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
• rheumatoid arthritis
• granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener’s Granulomatosis) and
  microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)
• pemphigus vulgaris

Clinical studies showed Rituxan Hycela delivered similar blood levels and effectiveness of rituximab; however, the majority (77 percent) of patients preferred Rituxan Hycela over IV Rituxan due to less time spent in the clinic.