See why thousands of patients choose our centers as their preferred destination for ongoing care, including Ruxience Infusion treatments.
Ruxience is a biologic therapy that is indicated to treat:
- moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and currently taking methotrexate
What is Ruxience?
What Is Ruxience?
Ruxience (rituximab-pvvr) is a prescription medication administered for patients in all IVX Health centers via IV infusion. Ruxience is also an FDA-approved biosimilar to Rituxan indicated to treat rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
A biosimilar is a biologic therapy that has been approved and licensed by the FDA and has shown to have no clinically meaningful difference from an existing therapy, known as the “reference product.”
How Ruxience Works
Ruxience works by destroying immune cells called B-Cells in order to prevent unwanted activity from the immune system that leads to symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Ruxience Infusion Dosage & Administration
Ruxience Infusion Dosage and Administration
Patients receive rituximab-pvvr intravenously. Treatment time for a Ruxience infusion at a medical clinic like IVX Health usually lasts around 90 minutes.
Dosage and Frequency
The typical dosage of Ruxience is 1000 mg per infusion.
The first two Ruxience infusions are administered two weeks apart. Following infusions are generally administered 16-24 weeks apart depending on the patient.
Administering Ruxience via IV Infusion
- The nurse prepares the patient’s arm by using rubbing alcohol to sterilize the location that is being used to insert the IV needle.
- Following needle insertion, the IV line is held in place with tape.
- The nurse attaches the patient’s IV line to the line coming down from the bag of medication.
Every half-an-hour, the patient’s nurse takes his or her vitals.
Ruxience Side Effects
Ruxience Infusion Side Effects
As with all medications, side effects are possible.
Common side effects include:
- Infusion-related reactions
- Infections
- Body aches Tiredness
- Nausea
- Low white and red blood cell counts
- Swelling
- Diarrhea
- Muscle spasms
Additional serious side effects include:
- Severe skin and mouth reactions
- Hepatitis B virus reactivation
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
- Tumor lysis syndrome
- Heart problems
- Kidney problems
- Stomach and serious bowel problems
Preparing for Your Ruxience Infusion
Follow these steps to prepare for your Ruxience Infusion:
Consult Your Healthcare Provider
- Medical History Review: Ensure your healthcare provider has a complete and up-to-date medical history, including any allergies, current medications, and past reactions to Infusion.
- Pre-Infusion Testing: Complete any required blood tests or other pre-Infusion tests as recommended by your healthcare provider.
Pre-Infusion Medications
- Prescription Pre-Medications: Your Ruxience Infusion may require pre-medications to reduce the risk of a reaction or adverse event. Your referring provider will include any pre-medications when sending in your prescription order.
- Instructions: Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions regarding these medications, including the timing and dosage. Take these medications about 30-60 minutes before the Infusion as directed.
Hydration and Nutrition
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your Infusion to ensure you are well-hydrated.
- Eat Light: Have a light meal before your Infusion to help maintain your energy levels during the procedure.
Prepare for Comfort
- Clothing: Wear loose, comfortable clothing with easy access to your arms for the Infusion site.
- Entertainment: Bring something to keep you occupied, such as a book, tablet, or music, as your treatment or observation period may take several hours.
Plan for Transportation
- Arrange a Ride: Depending on the medication and your reaction to the Infusion, you might not feel well enough to drive yourself home. Consider arranging for someone to drive you or use a ride service.
By following these steps, you can help ensure that your Ruxience Infusion is as safe and comfortable as possible. Always follow the specific instructions provided by your healthcare team.
How to Get a Referral for Ruxience
Every Ruxience Infusion referral must be accompanied by a physician’s order for treatment.
Patient information should include:
- Name
- Current address
- Home and mobile phone number
- Insurance information
Information the physician must include on the patient’s order for therapy:
- Patient’s name and DOB
- Order date
- Diagnosis
- Physician’s name and NPI#
- Office address, phone, and fax numbers
- Provider’s signature
Clinical documentation from the physician should include information to support a diagnosis for one or more of the following:
- moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and currently taking methotrexate
If you or someone you care about has one of the conditions that Ruxience treats, IVX Health would be honored to provide your care. To find an IVX Health center near you, please click here.
Patients choose IVX Health for ongoing Ruxience treatments because:
- ALL private suites
- Comfortable recliners, with chairs for guests
- Evening & weekend appointments
- Friendly clinical staff deliver personal service
- Big screen TVs, high-speed WiFi, free snacks
Interested in moving your care to IVX Health?
Interested?
IVX Health would love to learn more about your care needs. If you’re interested in switching your infusion services – or if you just want to learn more – let us know.
