Precautions
What Conditions does RITUXAN Treat?
- Burkitt's lymphoma
- follicular lymphoma
- rheumatoid arthritis
- recurrent or treatment resistant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- CD20 positive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- mantle cell lymphoma
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- progressive chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia
What conditions does Rituxan treat?
More common side effects in people using Rituxan for rheumatoid arthritis include:
- upper respiratory tract infection
- common cold symptoms, such as sore throat
- urinary tract infection
- inflammation (swelling and irritation) of your bronchioles (airways into your lungs)
- infusion side effects*
What are the most common side effects of Rituxan?
RITUXAN is a type of antibody therapy that can be used alone or with chemotherapy. They work in different ways to find and attack the cells where cancer starts. RITUXAN targets and attaches to the CD20 protein found on the surface of blood cells with cancer and some healthy blood cells.
Is Rituxan considered chemotherapy?
Your doctor is correct in explaining that Rituximab can take up to 3 months to impact on the platelet count. Many people respond very quickly but others take longer.
How long does it take for Rituxan to work?
What conditions is Rituxan used for?
Rituximab is used to treat certain types of cancer (such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia). It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. Some brands of rituximab are also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and can decrease joint pain and swelling.
What are the long term effects of Rituxan?
Rituxan may increase your risk of a rare disease called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). In studies of people who received Rituxan, some developed PML up to 12 months after their last dose. PML is serious and can be life threatening. Reactivation of the hepatitis B virus.
What is the most common side effect of Rituxan?
The most common side effects during treatment with Rituxan are: infusion-related reactions. infections (may include fever, chills) body aches.
Is rituximab chemotherapy or immunotherapy?
Rituxan (rituximab) is a monoclonal antibody medication that treats different types of blood cancer. Rituxan is also an immunotherapy medication, meaning it helps make the immune system better at fighting cancer.
Is Rituxan a form of chemotherapy?
RITUXAN is not chemotherapy. RITUXAN is a type of antibody therapy that can be used alone or with chemotherapy. They work in different ways to find and attack the cells where cancer starts. RITUXAN targets and attaches to the CD20 protein found on the surface of blood cells with cancer and some healthy blood cells.
Do you lose your hair with Rituxan?
Hair loss. Hair loss is a possible side effect of Rituxan. However, in clinical trials, hair loss occurred only in people who took Rituxan for pemphigus vulgaris (PV).
How will I feel after Rituxan infusion?
You may lose your body hair, including eyelashes and eyebrows. Skin rashes, dry skin and itching are also common. Weakness or body fatigue, known as asthenia, and tiredness. Swelling, diarrhea, muscle spasms and depression.
What is the success rate of rituximab?
Rituximab with bendamustine (Treanda, Cephalon) was studied in a phase 2 trial in patients with relapsed disease. This combination was found to be very effective, with an ORR of 92%.
What does Rituxan cost?
The cost for Rituxan intravenous solution (10 mg/mL) is around $999 for a supply of 10 milliliters, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans.
What cancers are treated with rituximab?
Use in Cancer Rituximab is approved to be used in alone or with other drugs to treat: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia that is advanced and CD20 positive. Rituximab is used with chemotherapy in children aged 6 months and older whose cancer has not been treated.
How long can you stay on Rituxan?
Rituxan can provide up to 6 months of symptom improvement from 1 course of treatment (2 infusions given 2 weeks apart). Be sure to talk with your doctor to find out if starting and continuing treatment with Rituxan is right for you.
What steroid is given with Rituxan?
PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying the side effects and how well giving rituximab together with prednisone works as first-line therapy in treating patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
Before Taking This Medicine
Rituxan may cause a serious brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). This infection may be more likely if have used...
What Happens If I Overdose?
Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
What Should I Avoid While Receiving Rituxan?
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using this medicine, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. Ther...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Rituxan?
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially: 1. medicines to treat rheumatoid arthritis - adalimu...
Is Rituxan chemotherapy?
No, Rituxan isn’t chemotherapy. Rituxan is a type of immunotherapy. Chemotherapy affects all the cells in your body. Because of this, it can cause...
Do I need to avoid getting certain types of vaccines during my Rituxan treatment?
Yes. You should avoid getting any live vaccines before and while you’re taking Rituxan. This is because live vaccines have a milder version of the...
Will I be able to use other medications on the same day I have a Rituxan infusion?
Yes, you can still take other medications on the same day as your Rituxan infusion. In fact, you’ll usually be given drugs to help prevent you from...
Why do Rituxan infusions take so long?
Rituxan must be given slowly over time to decrease the risk of an infusion reaction occurring. Infusion reactions can include rash, decreased blood...
What does it feel like to have a rituxan?
Severe Skin and Mouth Reactions: Tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms at any time during your treatment with RITUXAN: Painful sores or ulcers on your skin, lips, or in your mouth. Blisters.
Where to report RITUXAN side effects?
You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.
What to tell your healthcare provider before taking Rituximab?
Before receiving RITUXAN, tell your healthcare provider if you: Have had a severe reaction to RITUXAN or a rituximab product. Have a history of heart problems, irregular heartbeat, or chest pain. Have lung or kidney problems. Have had an infection, currently have an infection, or have a weakened immune system.
How long after a last dose of Rituxan can you give birth?
Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with RITUXAN and for 12 months after the last dose of RITUXAN.
What to do before a Rituxan infusion?
Your healthcare provider should give you medicines before your infusion of RITUXAN to decrease your chance of having a severe infusion-related reactions. Tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms during or after an infusion of RITUXAN: Hives (red itchy welts) or rash.
How long after a Rituxan can you breastfeed?
Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if RITUXAN passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 6 months after your last dose of RITUXAN. Are taking any medications, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How long does it take for a low antibody level to go down after taking Rituxan?
After receiving RITUXAN, some people have developed low levels of certain antibodies in their blood for a long period of time (longer than 11 months). Some of these patients with low antibody levels developed infections. People with serious infections should not receive RITUXAN.
What to do if you have a serious side effect of Rituxan?
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include: Infusion reactions while or after receiving a dose of Rituxan.*.
What is the active ingredient in Rituxan?
Rituxan active ingredient and form. Rituxan contains the active ingredient rituximab and belongs to a group of medications called monoclonal antibodies. Rituxan comes as a liquid solution that’s available in two strengths: 100 milligrams (mg) per 10 milliliters (mL) of solution and 500 mg/50 mL.
How long did Rituxan last without cancer?
went 39.8 months without their cancer getting worse when they took Rituxan, fludarabine, and cyclophosphamide. went 31.5 months without their cancer getting worse when they took fludarabine and cyclophosphamide alone. Rituxan was also studied in people who had already tried other medications for their CLL.
How much Rituxan is in a ml?
Rituxan comes as a liquid solution that’s available in two strengths: 100 milligrams (mg) per 10 milliliters (mL) of solution and 500 mg/50 mL. The medication is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. (An infusion is an injection into a vein that’s given over a period of time.)
Can you use Rituxan alone?
If you have this treatment and have a partial or complete response* to it, your doctor may have you then use Rituxan alone. Rituxan for NHL when used after CVP chemotherapy. For this use, the cancer must be low grade.
Is Rituxan Hycela a biosimilar?
Rituxan has two biosimilar versions: rituximab-pvvr (Ruxience) and rituximab-abbs ( Truxima ). Rituxan Hycela has no biosimilar versions. A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). Rituxan is a biologic medication, which is also called a biologic.
Is Rituxan a biologic?
A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). Rituxan is a biologic medication, which is also called a biologic.
What is Rituxan?
Rituxan is a monoclonal antibody medication. It’s also considered a type of immunotherapy, meaning it helps turn the immune system against cancer. It works by identifying and labeling certain white blood cells (B cells) for destruction by the body’s immune system.
What cancers can Rituxan treat?
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): CLL is a type of cancer that starts in the white blood cells (lymphocytes).
How does Rituxan work?
Rituxan works by targeting the CD20 protein on the surface of B blood cells. In cancers like CLL and NHL, B cells grow out of control. Rituxan works to lower the amount of cancerous B cells in the body. It finds these B cells by looking for the CD20 protein.
What side effects are associated with Rituxan?
As with all medications, Rituxan has a number of possible side effects. Common side effects can include:
How much does Rituxan cost?
Rituxan is administered by your healthcare provider, which often means it can be expensive. However, the specific costs can vary widely. Biosimilar medications of Rituxan might be cheaper. Biosimilar medications like Truxima also have savings programs available to help with treatment costs.
The bottom line
Rituxan is a medication that’s used to treat many different types of blood cell cancers, like NHL and CLL. It can be given as an IV or an under-the-skin injection. Cheaper versions of Ritxuan, called biosimilars, are also available.
What is Rituxan used for?
What Rituxan Is Used For: Treatment of certain types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians sometimes elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it might be helpful.
How long does it take to get Rituxan?
How Rituxan Is Given: As an infusion into a vein (intravenous, IV), over about 6 hours. The time of the infusion may be shortened, depending on whether or not you have received Rituxan in the past, or how well you tolerate Rituxan.
How long does it take for Rituxan to react to infusion?
A serious but rare Rituxan side effect is potential for a severe infusion reaction, typically with the first infusion (during infusion or within 30-120 minutes of infusion). You will be given medication prior to the infusion to decrease this reaction and monitored carefully during the infusion.
How to get rid of chills after Rituxan?
There are medications that can help reduce the discomfort caused by chills. Drink 2 to 3 quarts of fluid for the first 48 hours after each infusion, unless you were told to restrict your fluid intake. Rituxan infrequently causes nausea.
What is the generic name for Rituximab?
Generic Name: Rituximab. Biosimilars: Ruxience®, Truxima®. A biosimilar is a biologic medical product that is almost an identical copy of an original medication that is manufactured by a different company.
Can Rituxan be restarted?
In most cases, the infusion can be restarted at a slower rate once symptoms subside. Other rare but serious Rituxan side effects: Patients who have had heart pain or irregular heartbeats in the past may experience this again. If these occur tell your doctor or nurse, so that they can be treated.
Does Rituxan go away?
Rituxan side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration. Rituxan side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete. There are many options to help minimize or prevent Rituxan side effects. There is no relationship between the presence or severity of Rituxan side effects and ...
Does Rituxan cause heart problems?
Heart Problems. RITUXAN® could increase the risk of a heart attack. Tell your doctor immediately if you have a history of heart problems or if you start experiencing chest pain and/or tightness, irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, cold sweat, and/or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, or jaw.
Can RITUXAN cause kidney failure?
RITUXAN® could cause severe kidney problems that may lead to death. Prior to starting treatment, your doctor should run blood tests to determine your renal health. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you experience decreased urination, fluid retention, confusion, fatigue, swelling of the legs, ankles, and/or feet, chest pain or pressure, and/or irregular heartbeat.
Can a rituxan cause a stomach pain?
Stomach and Bowel Problems. RITUXAN® could result in blockage or tears in the bowel — especially if you are concurrently undergoing chemotherapy. Tell your doctor immediately if you have stomach pain or repeated vomiting during treatment. Do not wait it out, as these conditions could lead to death.
What is the purpose of rituximab injection?
Rituximab injection is used together with other medicines (eg, fludarabine cyclophosphamide) to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia ( CLL ). Rituximab injection is used together with methotrexate to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
How long does Rituximab stay in place?
Rituximab injection must be given slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for at least 90 minutes.
Can elderly people get rituximab?
However, elderly patients are more likely to have infections and age-related heart and lung problems, which may require caution in patients receiving rituximab injection.
Can rituximab be given to children?
However, use of rituximab injection is not indicated in children younger than 2 years of age with GPA or MPA.
Does Rituximab work with steroids?
It helps to keep joint damage from getting worse after other medicines (eg, adalimumab, etanercept, or infliximab) did not work well. Rituximab injection is used together with steroids to treat granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA).
Does Rituximab lower immunity?
Rituximab may lower your body's resistance, and there is a chance you might get the infection the immunization is meant to prevent. In addition, other persons living in your household should not get live vaccines (eg, nasal flu virus vaccine). Try to avoid persons who have taken live vaccines.
Introduction
If you have a certain type of cancer or autoimmune condition, your doctor might suggest Rituxan (rituximab) as a treatment option. Along with other questions you may have about the drug, you could be wondering about its side effects.
What are the more common side effects of Rituxan?
Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during their Rituxan treatment. These can vary, depending on what condition the drug is being used to treat.
What are the mild side effects of Rituxan?
Rituxan may cause mild side effects in some people. Depending on the condition you’re using Rituxan to treat, the side effects may vary.
What are the serious side effects of Rituxan?
Serious side effects from Rituxan have been reported, but they aren’t common. Serious side effects that can occur with Rituxan include:
Side effects explained
Learn more details about some of the possible side effects of Rituxan.
What to ask your doctor
Rituxan is an effective treatment for certain cancers or autoimmune conditions. If you’re considering Rituxan as a treatment option, it’s helpful to learn about its possible side effects.
Ask a pharmacist
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.
What are the typical dosages of Rituxan?
The information below describes Rituxan dosages that are commonly used or recommended. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Is Rituxan used long term?
You may receive up to 16 Rituxan doses depending on the condition you’re using the drug to treat. Ask your doctor about how long you’ll be taking Rituxan.
Dosage adjustments
Your Rituxan dosage may be calculated based on your height and weight.
