Rituxan Hycela Side Effects

Generic name: hyaluronidase / rituximab

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Nov 18, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Rituxan Hycela Side Effects associated with hyaluronidase / rituximab. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Rituxan Hycela.

Applies to hyaluronidase / rituximab: subcutaneous solution.

Serious side effects of Rituxan Hycela

Along with its needed effects, hyaluronidase / rituximab may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking hyaluronidase / rituximab:

Other side effects of Rituxan Hycela

Some side effects of hyaluronidase / rituximab may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills with this medicine.

This medicine may reactivate hepatitis B infection. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this.

This medicine may increase your risk of developing a serious and rare brain infection, called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Check with your doctor right away if you have vision changes, loss of coordination, clumsiness, memory loss, difficulty speaking or understanding what others say, or weak legs.

This medicine may cause infusion-related reactions, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you start to have a fever, chills or shaking, dizziness, trouble breathing, itching or rash, lightheadedness or fainting after receiving this medicine.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving this medicine.

This medicine may cause a serious reaction, called tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). Call your doctor right away if you have a change in how much or how often you urinate, rapid weight gain, muscle or joint pain, swelling of the feet or lower legs, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Call your doctor right away if you start to have a cough that won't go away, weight loss, night sweats, fever, chills, flu-like symptoms (such as a runny or stuffy nose, headache, blurred vision, or feeling generally ill), painful or difficult urination, or sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips. These may be signs that you have an infection.

This medicine may worsen the condition of patients with heart disease or heart rhythm problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain or tightness, decreased urine output, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, troubled breathing, or weight gain. You might also feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.

Check with your doctor right away if you have bloody urine, a decrease in frequency or amount of urine, an increase in blood pressure, increased thirst, loss of appetite, lower back or side pain, nausea, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, troubled breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, or weight gain. These could be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

This medicine can cause bowel problems, including bowel blockage, tears, or holes. Check with your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain or continuing vomiting.

Do not have any live vaccines (immunizations) while you are being treated with rituximab and hyaluronidase human, recombinant combination injection. Check with your doctor before having any vaccines.

For healthcare professionals

Applies to hyaluronidase / rituximab: subcutaneous solution.

Hematologic adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Neutropenia (32%), thrombocytopenia (20% or greater), anemia (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Febrile neutropenia, leukopenia, lymphopenia
• Postmarketing reports: Prolonged pancytopenia, marrow hypoplasia, Grade 3 to 4 prolonged or late onset neutropenia, hyperviscosity syndrome in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Infections (20% or greater)
• Common (1% to 10%): Influenza, immunogenicity
• Postmarketing reports: Lupus-like syndrome, serum sickness, viral infections (including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy [PML], increase in fatal infections in HIV-associated lymphoma, and an increased incidence of Grade 3 and 4 infections)^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Injection site erythema (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site pain, injection site edema^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (13%), bone pain (10%), pain in extremity (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, muscle spasms, myalgia
• Postmarketing reports: Polyarticular arthritis^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctivitis
• Postmarketing reports: Uveitis, optic neuritis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia, anorexia, weight loss
• Frequency not reported: Tumor lysis syndrome^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Hepatitis B reactivation including fulminant hepatitis^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Postmarketing reports: Disease progression of Kaposi's sarcoma^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Cough (23%), upper respiratory tract infection (15%), pneumonia (11%), dyspnea (11%), nasopharyngitis (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, sinusitis, oropharyngeal pain, respiratory tract infection
• Postmarketing reports: Pleuritis, fatal bronchiolitis obliterans, fatal interstitial lung disease^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (20%), asthenia (17%), pyrexia (15%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Paresthesia (16%), headache (13%), peripheral neuropathy (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Chills, dizziness
• Frequency not reported: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Renal toxicity

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Flushing, chest pain, peripheral edema, hypertension
• Frequency not reported: Cardiac arrhythmias
• Postmarketing reports: Fatal cardiac failure, systemic vasculitis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (16%), pruritus (10%), rash (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Erythema
• Frequency not reported: Mucocutaneous reactions
• Postmarketing reports: Vasculitis with rash^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (31%), constipation (25%), diarrhea (18%), abdominal pain (14%), vomiting (14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia, stomatitis, upper abdominal pain, throat irritation, mucosal inflammation
• Frequency not reported: Bowel obstruction and perforation^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What is the difference between Rituxan and Rituxan Hycela?
• How is Rituxan Hycela administered?

Further information

Rituxan Hycela side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer