Ruxience Side Effects

Generic name: rituximab

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 16, 2025.

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

Applies to rituximab: intravenous solution.

Serious side effects of Ruxience

Along with its needed effects, rituximab (the active ingredient contained in Ruxience) 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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking rituximab:

Other side effects of Ruxience

Some side effects of 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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to rituximab: intravenous solution.

Cardiovascular adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Hypotension (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Left ventricular failure, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, angina, myocardial ischemia, bradycardia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Heart failure, vasculitis (predominately cutaneous), leukocytoclastic vasculitis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Night sweats (15%), rash (15%), pruritus (14%), angioedema (11%), alopecia
• Common (1% to 10%): Flushing, urticaria, skin disorder
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Severe bullous skin reactions, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell's Syndrome)
• Postmarketing reports: Severe mucocutaneous reactions^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (23%), abdominal pain (14%), diarrhea (10%), vomiting (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Throat irritation, dysphagia, stomatitis, constipation, dyspepsia, anorexia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal enlargement
• Frequency not reported: GI perforation
• Postmarketing reports: Bowel obstruction^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Lymphopenia (48%), leukopenia (14%), neutropenia (14%), thrombocytopenia (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Blood lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increased, pancytopenia, granulocytopenia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anemia, coagulation disorders, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, lymphadenopathy, transient aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia
• Postmarketing reports: Late neutropenia, marrow hypoplasia, Grade 3 to 4 prolonged or late-onset neutropenia, hyperviscosity syndrome in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Increased ALT (13%)
• Frequency not reported: Hepatitis B reactivation with fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylaxis
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Tumor lysis syndrome, cytokine release syndrome, serum sickness^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Infection (bacterial, viral) (31%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Sepsis, febrile infection, herpes zoster, fungal infections, infections of unknown etiology, acute bronchitis, sinusitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Serious viral infections
• Postmarketing reports: Lupus-like syndrome, serum sickness, increase in fatal infections in HIV-associated lymphoma, increased incidence of Grade 3 and 4 infections^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Acute infusion reactions (e.g., pain, fever, chills, rigors, pruritus, urticaria/rash, angioedema, sneezing, throat irritation, cough, and/or bronchospasm, with or without associated hypotension or hypertension) (27%)^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hypophosphatemia (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hyperglycemia, peripheral edema, hyperuricemia, weight decrease, peripheral edema, face edema, increased LDH, hypocalcemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Back pain (10%), myalgia (10%), arthralgia (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Neck pain, hypertonia
• Frequency not reported: Polyarticular arthritis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (19%), dizziness (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pyrexia, paresthesia, hypoesthesia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysgeusia
• Postmarketing reports: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)/reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS)^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Lacrimation disorder, conjunctivitis
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Severe vision loss
• Postmarketing reports: Uveitis, optic neuritis^[Ref]

Oncologic

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

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fever (53%), chills (33%), asthenia (26%), fatigue (13%), pain (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Migraine, asthenia, tinnitus, ear pain, tumor pain, flushing, malaise, cold syndrome, shivering, multi-organ failure
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hearing loss^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, depression, nervousness, agitation, insomnia^[Ref]

Renal

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Renal failure^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Cough (13%), rhinitis (12%), epistaxis (11%), dyspnea (10%), bronchitis
• Common (1% to 10%): Bronchospasm, sinusitis, pneumonia, chest pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Upper respiratory tract infection, asthma, bronchiolitis obliterans (fatal), lung disorder, hypoxia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Interstitial lung disease
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Respiratory failure
• Frequency not reported: Lung infiltration
• Postmarketing reports: Pleuritis^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What are biosimilar drugs and how do they compare to biologics?
• What are the new drugs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
• What is the difference between Truxima and Rituxan?
• What is the success rate of Rituxan (rituximab) in patients with blood cancers?
• What is the success rate of Rituxan (rituximab) in rheumatoid arthritis?
• What causes infusion reactions to rituximab?
• What is the difference between Rituxan and Rituxan Hycela?
• What are biologic drugs and how do they work?
• What biosimilars have been approved in the United States?

Further information

Ruxience 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