Rituxan (rituximab) is a prescription drug that treats certain autoimmune diseases and some kinds of cancer. Rituxan’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and where you receive the medication.

Rituxan is used in adults to treat the following conditions:

Rituxan is also used in some children to treat:

Rituxan’s active ingredient* is rituximab.

Rituxan comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into your vein given over time).

For more details on Rituxan, see this in-depth article.

*An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

The price you pay for Rituxan can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan and your insurance coverage (if you have it). It will also depend on how much you have to pay for an office visit with your doctor to receive Rituxan.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Rituxan, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Rituxan. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Rituxan in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Rituxan requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Rituxan requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Rituxan and cost.

Does the 1000-mg dose of Rituxan cost more than other doses of the drug?

It’s not likely. Because this medication is given as an infusion by your doctor, the cost of the medication is unlikely to change based on your dose. However, this may depend on your health insurance plan (if you have one).

To find out whether your dose affects the cost, ask your insurance provider or talk with your doctor.

Is Rituxan covered by Medicare?

It’s possible. However, whether Medicare covers the cost of Rituxan depends on the type of plan you have.

To find out whether your Medicare plan covers Rituxan, call your insurance provider directly. They can tell you whether the drug is covered and what your cost will be.

Rituxan is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms. It comes in several biosimilar forms. Biosimilars are like generic drugs. Unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs. Rituxan currently has three available biosimilars: Riabni, Ruxience, and Truxima.

Why is there such a cost difference between biologic drugs and biosimilar drugs?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research and testing needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness. The drugmaker of a biologic drug can sell it for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, other drugmakers can create biosimilar versions. This competition in the market may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. And because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower costs for biosimilars.

If you need help covering the cost of Rituxan or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or insurance company.

If you still have questions about the cost of Rituxan, talk with your doctor. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Rituxan.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • How much will I pay to receive my Rituxan infusion at my doctor’s office?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?
  • Are there other lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?

To learn more about Rituxan, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.