Compare Cimzia vs. Rituxan

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Cimzia (certolizumab)

Prescription only

Rituxan (Rituximab)

Prescription only
Calms the immune system and prevents joint damage.

Cimzia (certolizumab) effectively calms down your immune system, but you have to be comfortable receiving injections.

Calms down your immune system.

Rituxan (Rituximab) is effective for treating multiple types of cancer and arthritis. That said, you'll need to watch for possibly serious side effects, especially infusion reactions.

Upsides
  • People taking Cimzia (certolizumab) for Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions had greater clinical response compared to people who did not take Cimzia (certolizumab).
  • Compared to some other drugs used to treat autoimmune conditions, Cimzia (certolizumab) has not been associated with as many harmful effects during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • You can give yourself Cimzia (certolizumab) on your own at home rather than visiting a clinic or hospital.
  • After the initial dosing, you need to take Cimzia (certolizumab) every 4 weeks.
  • Cimzia (certolizumab) has been on the market for almost 10 years.
  • Treats leukemia, lymphoma, and blood vessel inflammation.
  • Also treats moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis that hasn't responded to anti-TNF treatment (but you'll need to take methotrexate too).
  • The chance of having a reaction to the infusion is highest during your first dose, but the risk decreases each time you get Rituxan (Rituximab). It usually happens within 30 minutes to 2 hours after starting the infusion.
  • Rituxan (Rituximab) is a targeted therapy that works differently than chemotherapy. Both work well when they're taken together, especially when treating CLL and NHL.
Downsides
  • Cimzia (certolizumab) lowers your ability to fight infection and in some cases can cause serious life-threatening illness. The risk is greater if you take other drugs that lower your immune system, have an active infection, or had tuberculosis (TB) in the past.
  • Can in some cases cause bladder infections, rash and respiratory infections (cold or flu)
  • In rare cases, Cimzia (certolizumab) has been associated with cancers in children and adolescents.
  • Can increase your risk of side effects if you have a history of heart failure, nervous system conditions, or hepatitis B.
  • There's no generic available and it can be expensive.
  • Only your doctor or other trained medical staff can administer Rituxan (Rituximab), so you'll need to go into an office or clinic for every dose.
  • Not the best choice if you have heart problems.
  • Rituxan (Rituximab) can stay in your body for up to 6 months after you complete treatment. Men and women who are able to have children need to use birth control for up to one year after finishing Rituxan (Rituximab).
  • Discuss with your doctor the serious heart, kidney, liver, or stomach problems that can happen while on Rituxan (Rituximab).
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Injection
  • Infusion (IV)
Price
Lowest price
$4688.82
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Reviews
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Side effects
4possible side effects
  • Infections
    38%
  • Upper airway infections
    20%
  • Urinary tract infections
    7%
  • Joint pain
    6%
See more detailed side effects
4possible side effects
  • Any infection
    62%
  • Infusion reaction
    12%
  • Any serious infection
    11%
  • Cardiac side effect
    2%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Serious infections
    • Taking other immunosuppressant medications such as methotrexate or steroids
    • Age 65 or older
    • Active, chronic, or recurrent infection
    • Comorbidities
  • Cancers
    • Taking other immunosuppressant medications, such as azathiprine or 6-mercaptopurine, at the same time as Cimzia (certolizumab)
    • History of malignancy
    • Adolescent age
  • Heart problems
    • History of heart failure
  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Lower blood cell counts
  • Nervous system effects
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Guillain-Barre syndrome
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Serious infections
    • Taking other immunosuppressant drugs
    • Age 60 or older
    • Weak immune system
  • Nervous system effects
    • Taking Rituxan (Rituximab) with immunosuppressant drugs (if using for RA)
    • Taking Rituxan (Rituximab) with chemotherapy (if using for NHL or CLL
    • Stem cell transplant
  • Skin and mouth reactions
  • Kidney injury
    • Taking Rituxan (Rituximab) for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL)
    • Rapidly growing tumors
  • Heart problems
    • History of heart problems
    • Drug interactions
  • Gastrointestinal problems
    • Start of therapy with Rituxan (Rituximab)
  • Blood problems
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Cimzia (certolizumab)
Learn more about Rituxan (Rituximab)