Article

Rituximab Hit With FDA Warning on HBV Risk

A black box warning has been added to the label of the commonly used anti-inflammatory drug rituximab warning that it may reactivate hepatitis B virus.

The US Food and Drug Administration has added a black box warning that ofatumumab (Arzerra) and rituximab (Rituxan) may reactivate hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Rituximab is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and both drugs are used for leukemia and lymphoma.

Patients should be screened for HBV with hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core antibody, says the notice.

If the result is positive:

1. Consult a hepatitis expert.

2. Monitor patients using these drugs for HBV.

3. If reactivated, stop and treat for HBV

Related Videos
Kimberly A. Davidow, MD: Elucidating Risk of Autoimmune Disease in Childhood Cancer Survivors
Matthew J. Budoff, MD: Examining the Interplay of Coronary Calcium and Osteoporosis | Image Credit: Lundquist Institute
Orrin Troum, MD: Accurately Imaging Gout With DECT Scanning
John Stone, MD, MPH: Continuing Progress With IgG4-Related Disease Research
Philip Conaghan, MBBS, PhD: Investigating NT3 Inhibition for Improving Osteoarthritis
Rheumatologists Recognize the Need to Create Pediatric Enthesitis Scoring Tool
Presence of Diffuse Cutaneous Disease Linked to Worse HRQOL in Systematic Sclerosis
Alexei Grom, MD: Exploring Safer Treatment Options for Refractory Macrophage Activation Syndrome
Jack Arnold, MBBS, clinical research fellow, University of Leeds, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine
John Tesser, MD, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine, Midwestern University, and Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Lecturer, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, and Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates
Related Content
Black and white FDA logo | Credit: US Food and Drug Administration
February 5th 2025

FDA Fast Tracks CAR-T Therapy for Lupus

Abigail Brooks, MA
Emerging Agents in the Treatment of Rheumatic Diseases
October 2nd 2023

Emerging Agents in the Treatment of Rheumatic Diseases

Nehad Soloman, MD, FACR Andrew Sharobeem, DO, FACR Philip J. Mease, MD
Gerd R. Burmester, MD, Professor of Medicine, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and Humboldt University and Free University
February 4th 2025

Tocilizumab Biosimilar Approved for Rheumatological Diseases, COVID-19

Victoria Johnson
Challenges with Step Therapy Protocols in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis
August 31st 2023

Challenges with Step Therapy Protocols in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Nehad Soloman, MD, FACR Andrew Sharobeem, DO, FACR John B. Boone, MD, FACR Madelaine Feldman MD, FACR
Ryan Stultz, MD, PhD, Clinician Researcher, Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington, Seattle
January 29th 2025

NLR and MLR May Predict Gout Flare and CVD Mortality Risk

Victoria Johnson
Fibromyalgia Common in People With IBD
January 28th 2025

Fibromyalgia Common in People With IBD

Victoria Johnson
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.