Does Rituxan cause hair loss?

It’s possible for Rituxan (rituximab) to cause hair loss. This includes losing hair anywhere on your body, such as your head, legs, eyebrows, and eyelashes. You could experience patches of hair loss or hair thinning. Not everyone who takes Rituxan will experience hair loss as a side effect. If you do have hair loss from Rituxan, it will likely grow back after you finish your treatment.

How common is hair loss from Rituxan?

Hair loss (alopecia) does not seem to be a common side effect of Rituxan. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials found that Rituxan rarely caused hair loss, as it was not reported as a side effect in the studies included for review.

In a small clinical study of patients taking Rituxan for pemphigus vulgaris, 13% of patients taking Rituxan together with prednisone reported hair loss as a side effect. This was compared to 0% of patients taking prednisone alone. Hair loss was not commonly reported in studies of patients taking Rituxan for other health conditions.

As of March 2024, there have been 1,656 reports of hair loss by people taking Rituxan to the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System. However, these reports are not always complete. Many times it is not clear if the side effect reported is actually due to the medication, since people might be taking other medications at the same time. Additionally, there could be other causes of hair loss that are unrelated to any particular medication.

What should I do if I experience hair loss from Rituxan?

If you are taking Rituxan and notice hair loss or hair thinning, tell your healthcare provider. They can help you determine the cause of the hair loss and recommend appropriate strategies to manage it.