Home›Certolizumab Pegol›Certolizumab Pegol + Rituximab

Does Certolizumab Pegol Interact with Rituximab?

Certolizumab Pegol and Rituximab have a major drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. ( 7.3 ) 7.1 Use with Anakinra, Abatacept, Rituximab, and Natalizumab An increased risk of serious infections has been seen in clinical studies of other TNF-blocking agents used in combination with anakinra or abatacept, with no added benefit. Formal drug interaction studies have not been performed with rituximab or natalizumab. Therefore, the use of CIMZIA in combination with anakinra, abatacept, rituximab, or natalizumab is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] . Patients taking both medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of either drug. This information is based on official FDA drug labeling sourced from OpenFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine.

Severity
Major
Certolizumab Pegol Class
Tumor Necrosis Factor Blocker
Rituximab Class
CD20-directed Cytolytic Antibody
Management
Close medical supervision required
Data Source
U.S. FDA via OpenFDA

What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist

If you are taking Certolizumab Pegol and your doctor is considering prescribing Rituximab (or vice versa), make sure to:

  • Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
  • Ask whether the benefits of combining these medications outweigh the risks for your specific situation
  • Ask what symptoms to watch for that would indicate the interaction is causing problems
  • Ask how frequently you should be monitored while these are co-prescribed
  • Ask whether any dosage adjustments are needed
  • Never stop or change either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider
💊 Certolizumab Pegol(Cimzia)+💊 Rituximab(Rituxan Hycela)

Severity & Interaction Details

⚠️
major
Use with caution — major interaction
Serious risk of clinically significant harm. Generally avoid; if used, monitor closely.
Severity scale
MinorContra
On record
Yes
Drug A class
Tumor Necrosis Factor Blocker
Drug B class
CD20-directed Cytolytic Antibody
Source
FDA drug label - certolizumab pegol

What this means in plain English

( 7.3 ) 7.1 Use with Anakinra, Abatacept, Rituximab, and Natalizumab An increased risk of serious infections has been seen in clinical studies of other TNF-blocking agents used in combination with anakinra or abatacept, with no added benefit. Formal drug interaction studies have not been performed with rituximab or natalizumab. Therefore, the use of CIMZIA in combination with anakinra, abatacept, rituximab, or natalizumab is not recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] .

About Certolizumab Pegol and Rituximab

Certolizumab Pegol is a Tumor Necrosis Factor Blocker, while Rituximab is a CD20-directed Cytolytic Antibody. You may recognize them by the brand names Cimzia and Rituxan Hycela. Certolizumab Pegol is given by injection under the skin, whereas Rituximab is given by intravenous (IV) infusion. Both Certolizumab Pegol and Rituximab carry an FDA boxed warning — the agency's most serious safety designation.

Share this result:

WhatsAppText / SMSEmail
Also share on:XFacebook
Add more drugs
Check Certolizumab Pegol and Rituximab against your full medication list

Most patients take more than two medications. CDI checks every pair across up to 20 drugs simultaneously — including OTCs and common supplements.

Add more drugs →
Data integrity: Every interaction shown is extracted directly from official U.S. FDA drug labeling via openFDA and the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH) — no interactions are invented, inferred, or manually edited. Maintained by CheckDrugInteractions.com. See our methodology or report a correction at support@checkdruginteractions.com.

Data sourced from U.S. FDA drug labeling via openFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine, supplemented with a small number of well-established interactions from curated clinical references. For informational purposes only. Always consult your pharmacist or physician.