Skip to main content

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.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Subcutaneous route (solution)

Severe, including fatal, mucocutaneous reactions can occur in patients receiving rituximab-containing products, including rituximab and hyaluronidase human, recombinant. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) reactivation can occur in patients treated with rituximab-containing products, including rituximab and hyaluronidase human, recombinant, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death.

Screen all patients for HBV infection before treatment initiation, and monitor patients during and after treatment with rituximab and hyaluronidase human, recombinant.

Discontinue rituximab and hyaluronidase human, recombinant and concomitant medications in the event of HBV reactivation.

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), including fatal PML, can occur in patients receiving rituximab-containing products, including rituximab and hyaluronidase human, recombinant.

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.

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:

More common side effects

  • back pain
  • black, tarry stools
  • bladder pain
  • bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
  • bloody or cloudy urine
  • blurred vision
  • body aches or pain
  • bone pain
  • chest pain
  • chills
  • cough
  • cough producing mucus
  • difficult or labored breathing
  • difficult, burning, or painful urination
  • difficulty in moving
  • dizziness
  • ear congestion
  • fever or chills
  • frequent urge to urinate
  • headache
  • joint pain
  • loss of voice
  • lower back or side pain
  • muscle aches or cramps
  • muscle pain or stiffness
  • muscle spasm
  • nasal congestion
  • nervousness
  • pale skin
  • pounding in the ears
  • rapid weight gain
  • severe pain
  • slow or fast heartbeat
  • sneezing
  • sore throat
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  • stomach pain
  • stuffy or runny nose
  • swelling or inflammation of the mouth
  • swollen glands
  • swollen joints
  • tightness in the chest
  • tingling of the hands or feet
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • unusual weight gain or loss

Less common side effects

  • cracked lips
  • difficulty in swallowing
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • hoarseness
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • shivering
  • sweating
  • trouble sleeping
  • upper stomach pain
  • vomiting

Incidence not known

  • bloody, black, or tarry stools
  • blurred vision or other change in vision
  • dilated neck veins
  • extreme fatigue
  • eye pain
  • feeling of discomfort
  • high fever
  • inflammation of the joints
  • irregular breathing
  • irregular heartbeat
  • itching
  • rash
  • redness of the eye
  • sensitivity of the eye to light
  • severe stomach pain
  • severe vomiting, sometimes with blood
  • tearing
  • unexplained bleeding or bruising

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:

More common side effects

  • belching
  • bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
  • burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
  • constipation
  • hair loss
  • heartburn
  • indigestion
  • lack or loss of strength
  • pain in the mouth and throat
  • pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
  • stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
  • unsteadiness or awkwardness
  • weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Less common side effects

  • burning, dry, or itching of the eyes
  • discharge, excessive tearing
  • redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

For healthcare professionals

Applies to hyaluronidase / rituximab: subcutaneous solution.

Hematologic adverse events

Hypersensitivity

Immunologic

Local

Musculoskeletal

Ocular

Metabolic

Psychiatric

Genitourinary

Hepatic

Oncologic

Respiratory

Other

Nervous system

Renal

Cardiovascular

Dermatologic

Gastrointestinal

See also:

References

1. (2017) "Product Information. Rituxan Hycela (hyaluronidase-rituximab)." Genentech

Frequently asked questions

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.