Rituxan
Generic Name: rituximab (ri TUK si mab)
Brand Names: Rituxan
What is Rituxan?
Rituxan is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Rituxan is used in combination with other cancer medicines to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Rituxan is also used in combination with another drug called methotrexate to treat symptoms of adult rheumatoid arthritis.
Rituxan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Rituxan?
Do not receive Rituxan if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to rituximab, or if you are allergic to mouse protein.Some people receiving a Rituxan injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, weak, nauseated, light-headed, itchy, or if you have a fever, chills, muscle pain, sneezing, sore throat, trouble breathing, or pain in your chest or shoulders. Infusion reactions often occur within the first 24 hours after the start of your Rituxan infusion.
To be sure Rituxan is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop using Rituxan, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function at regular visits for several months after you stop using Rituxan. Do not miss any scheduled visits.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving Rituxan?
Do not receive Rituxan if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to rituximab, or if you are allergic to mouse protein.Before receiving Rituxan, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
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liver disease or hepatitis B (or if you are a carrier of hepatitis B);
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kidney disease;
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systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);
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lung disease or a breathing disorder;
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a history of heart disease, angina (chest pain), or heart rhythm disorder; or
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a recent or active infection, including herpes, shingles, cytomegalovirus, or any infection that keeps coming back or does not clear up.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Rituxan, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. Rituxan may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Rituxan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take Rituxan without telling your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from Rituxan, causing breathing difficulty or heart rhythm problems.
How is Rituxan given?
Rituxan is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.
The medicine is usually given once per week for 4 to 8 weeks. In the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, you may receive only two injections of Rituxan, with 2 weeks in between treatments.
If you take any medications for high blood pressure, your doctor may ask you not to take them within 12 hours before you receive Rituxan. This is to prevent your blood pressure from getting too low during your Rituxan infusion. Follow your doctor's instructions.
To be sure Rituxan is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop using Rituxan, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function at regular visits for several months after you stop using Rituxan. Do not miss any scheduled visits.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are being treated with Rituxan.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor if you miss an appointment for your Rituxan injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a Rituxan overdose are not known.What should I avoid while receiving Rituxan?
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with Rituxan.
Rituxan side effects
Some people receiving a Rituxan injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, weak, nauseated, light-headed, itchy, or if you have a fever, chills, muscle pain, sneezing, sore throat, trouble breathing, or pain in your chest or shoulders. Infusion reactions often occur within the first 24 hours after the start of your Rituxan infusion.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects, even if they occur several months after you receive Rituxan, or after your treatment ends.-
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
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confusion, dizziness, loss of balance, blurred vision, and problems with speech or walking; or
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chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
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uneven heartbeats, wheezing or trouble breathing;
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urinating more or less than usual;
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fever, chills, cough, body aches, flu symptoms;
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easy bruising or bleeding;
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a red, raised, blistering, scaly, itchy, or peeling skin rash;
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severe constipation or stomach pain;
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black, bloody, or tarry stools; or
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nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
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pain where the IV needle is placed;
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headache, back pain;
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mild stomach pain, nausea, or diarrhea;
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swelling in your hands or feet;
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muscle or joint pain;
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runny or stuffy nose; or
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night sweats.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect Rituxan?
Before receiving Rituxan, tell your doctor if you are also being treated with any of the following drugs:
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cisplatin (Platinol);
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adalimumab (Humira);
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azathioprine (Imuran);
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cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
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etanercept (Enbrel);
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infliximab (Remicade);
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leflunomide (Arava);
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minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Vectrin);
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sulfasalazine (Azulfidine);
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blood pressure medications;
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gold salts such as auranofin (Ridaura), aurothioglucose (Solganal); or
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medication to treat malaria, such as chloroquine (Aralen) or hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil, Quineprox).
This is not a complete list and there may be other drugs that can affect Rituxan. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
- Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about Rituxan.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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More Rituxan Information resources:
Rituxan - Includes detailed dosage instructions.
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Rheumatoid Arthritis
