Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia: rituximab

About rituximab

Rituximab is a medicine that can help to stop a person's antibodies from destroying their own red blood cells.

Rituximab is licensed for treating various conditions in adults (aged 18 years and over). These include non‑Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, rheumatoid arthritis, and granulomatosis with polyangiitis or microscopic polyangiitis. It is not licensed for use in children.

Rituximab is given by a drip (also known as an infusion) into a vein, usually once a week for 4 weeks for autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. This is usually done in hospital by a doctor or nurse who has experience in using the treatment. Usually only 1 course of treatment is required, although repeat courses are sometimes used, and sometimes rituximab is used in combination with steroids or other medicines.

Rituximab is not licensed for treating autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in children or adults, and so using it for this condition is 'off‑label'.