Black Box Warning
WARNING: SEVERE MUCOCUTANEOUS REACTIONS, HEPATITIS B VIRUS REACTIVATION and PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY WARNING: SEVERE MUCOCUTANEOUS REACTIONS, HEPATITIS B VIRUS REACTIVATION and PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Severe mucocutaneous reactions, some with fatal outcomes ( 5.1 ). Hepatitis B virus reactivation, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death ( 5.2 ). Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy resulting in death ( 5.3 ). Severe Mucocutaneous Reactions Severe, including fatal, mucocutaneous reactions can occur in patients receiving rituximab-containing products, including RITUXAN HYCELA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation HBV reactivation can occur in patients treated with rituximab-containing products, including RITUXAN HYCELA, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death. Screen all patients for HBV infection before treatment initiation, and monitor patients during and after treatment with RITUXAN HYCELA. Discontinue RITUXAN HYCELA and concomitant medications in the event of HBV reactivation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), including fatal PML, can occur in patients receiving rituximab-containing products, including RITUXAN HYCELA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ].
What this means:A black box warning is the FDA's strongest required safety notice. It signals a serious or life-threatening risk. Patients should review this with their prescriber before starting, continuing, or switching Rituxan Hycela.