Drug Detail:Rituxan hycela (Hyaluronidase and rituximab [ hye-al-ure-on-i-dase ])
Generic Name: RITUXIMAB 120mg in 1mL, HYALURONIDASE
Dosage Form: injection, solution
Drug Class: CD20 monoclonal antibodies
Important Dosing Information
RITUXAN HYCELA is for subcutaneous use only. RITUXAN HYCELA should only be administered by a healthcare professional with appropriate medical support to manage severe reactions that can be fatal if they occur.
All patients must first receive at least one full dose of a rituximab product by intravenous infusion without experiencing severe adverse reactions before starting treatment with RITUXAN HYCELA. If patients are not able to receive one full dose by intravenous infusion, they should continue subsequent cycles with a rituximab product by intravenous infusion and not switch to RITUXAN HYCELA until a full intravenous dose is successfully administered [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].
Refer to the prescribing information for a rituximab product for intravenous infusion for additional information.
Premedicate before each dose of RITUXAN HYCELA [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)].
Dose reductions of RITUXAN HYCELA are not recommended. When RITUXAN HYCELA is given in combination with chemotherapy dose, reduce the chemotherapeutic drugs to manage adverse reactions.
Recommended Dosage for Follicular Lymphoma (FL)
All patients must receive at least one full dose of a rituximab product by intravenous infusion before starting treatment with RITUXAN HYCELA [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]. Premedicate before each dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)].
The recommended dose is RITUXAN HYCELA 1,400 mg/23,400 Units (1,400 mg rituximab and 23,400 Units hyaluronidase human) subcutaneously at a fixed dose irrespective of patient's body surface area according to the following schedules:
- Relapsed or Refractory, Follicular Lymphoma
Administer once weekly for 3 or 7 weeks following a full dose of a rituximab product by intravenous infusion at week 1 (i.e., 4 or 8 weeks in total). - Retreatment for Relapsed or Refractory, Follicular Lymphoma
Administer once weekly for 3 weeks following a full dose of a rituximab product by intravenous infusion at week 1 (i.e., 4 weeks in total). - Previously Untreated, Follicular Lymphoma
Administer on Day 1 of Cycles 2–8 of chemotherapy (every 21 days), for up to 7 cycles following a full dose of a rituximab product by intravenous infusion on Day 1 of Cycle 1 of chemotherapy (i.e., up to 8 cycles in total). In patients with complete or partial response, initiate RITUXAN HYCELA maintenance treatment 8 weeks following completion of RITUXAN HYCELA in combination with chemotherapy. Administer RITUXAN HYCELA as a single-agent every 8 weeks for 12 doses. - Non-progressing, Follicular Lymphoma after first line CVP chemotherapy
Following completion of 6–8 cycles of CVP chemotherapy and a full dose of a rituximab product by intravenous infusion at week 1, administer once weekly for 3 weeks (i.e., 4 weeks in total) at 6 month intervals to a maximum of 16 doses.
Recommended Dosage for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
All patients must receive at least one full dose of a rituximab product by intravenous infusion in combination with CHOP chemotherapy before starting treatment with RITUXAN HYCELA [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]. Premedicate before each dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)].
The recommended dose for DLBCL is RITUXAN HYCELA 1,400 mg/23,400 Units (1,400 mg rituximab and 23,400 Units hyaluronidase human) at a fixed dose irrespective of patient's body surface area in combination with CHOP chemotherapy. Administer RITUXAN HYCELA 1,400 mg/23,400 Units on Day 1 of Cycles 2–8 of CHOP chemotherapy for up to 7 cycles following a full dose of a rituximab product by intravenous infusion at Day 1, Cycle 1 of CHOP chemotherapy (i.e., up to 6–8 cycles in total).
Recommended Dosage for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
All patients must receive at least one full dose of a rituximab product by intravenous infusion in combination with FC chemotherapy before starting treatment with RITUXAN HYCELA [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]. Premedicate before each dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)].
The recommended dose for CLL is RITUXAN HYCELA 1,600 mg/26,800 Units (1,600 mg rituximab and 26,800 Units hyaluronidase human) in combination with FC chemotherapy, at a fixed dose, irrespective of patient's body surface area. Administer RITUXAN HYCELA 1,600 mg/26,800 Units on Day 1 of Cycles 2–6 (every 28 days) for a total of 5 cycles following a full intravenous dose at Day 1, Cycle 1 (i.e., 6 cycles in total).
Recommended Premedication and Prophylactic Medications
Premedicate with acetaminophen and an antihistamine before each dose of RITUXAN HYCELA. Premedication with a glucocorticoid should also be considered [see Dosage and Administration (2.2, 2.3, 2.4)].
Provide prophylaxis for Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) and herpes virus infections for patients with CLL during treatment and for up to 12 months following treatment as appropriate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].
Preparation and Administration
To prevent medication errors, check the vial labels to ensure that the drug being prepared and administered is RITUXAN HYCELA for subcutaneous use. Do not administer RITUXAN HYCELA intravenously.
RITUXAN HYCELA is ready to use.
Preparation
Use a sterile needle and syringe to prepare RITUXAN HYCELA. RITUXAN HYCELA is compatible with polypropylene and polycarbonate syringe material and stainless steel transfer and injection needles.
Using a 20 mL syringe, withdraw the required volume from the vial with a narrow (e.g., 25–30 gauge) needle of any length.
Label the syringe with the provided peel-off label.
Change the needle to a 1/2" to 5/8" long, narrow gauge needle (e.g., 25–30 gauge) immediately prior to subcutaneous administration to avoid needle clogging.
Visually inspect for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. RITUXAN HYCELA should be a clear to opalescent and colorless to yellowish liquid. Do not use if particulates or discoloration is present.
Administration
- Inject RITUXAN HYCELA into the subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen over approximately 5–7 minutes. Never inject into areas where the skin is red, bruised, tender or hard, or areas where there are moles or scars. No data are available on performing the injection at other sites of the body.
- Inject 11.7 mL of RITUXAN HYCELA 1,400 mg/23,400 Units vial (1,400 mg rituximab and 23,400 Units hyaluronidase human) subcutaneously into the abdomen over approximately 5 minutes.
- Inject 13.4 mL of RITUXAN HYCELA 1,600 mg/26,800 Units vial (1,600 mg rituximab and 26,800 Units hyaluronidase human) subcutaneously into the abdomen over approximately 7 minutes.
If administration of RITUXAN HYCELA is interrupted, continue administering at the same site, or at a different site, but restricted to the abdomen.
Observe patients for at least 15 minutes following RITUXAN HYCELA administration [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].
During treatment with RITUXAN HYCELA, do not administer other medications for subcutaneous use at the same sites as RITUXAN HYCELA.
