Rituximab for Immune Thrombocytopenia User Reviews

• Ber...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2018

"Treated for ITP with a high dose of dexamethasone short burst and then 120 mg of prednisone daily for months...platelet counts varied from 9,000 to 60,000, and the side effects of prednisone became unacceptable. Then received rituximab weekly for 4 weeks (4 doses), except for the first initial dose, which caused intense itching (treated with Benadryl and slowing the infusion rate), the treatment was relatively benign. Nineteen months later, my platelets have stabilized at 141,000 (low normal). This treatment is definitely worth a try, with (at least for me) a much better side effect profile than steroids."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 1, 2019

"Had three courses of Rituxin. 1st course of 4 weeks failed. 2nd course gave me 16 months of remission. 3rd course yielded no results, so went on to Promacta. Promacta did nothing for me. Now, I take Nplate injections, which have worked for me for over a year now. I got ITP at 51 years old and am 55 now. I'm chronic and have fallen to zero counts and single digits several times when untreated. I also occasionally supplement with low doses of Dexamethasone."

• Jil...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 6, 2024

"I have had ITP since 2006. After trying various meds, my Dr. suggested Rituxan. I was hesitant but finally agreed. I had 6 weekly infusions. I had a little trouble with the first infusion that had to be slowed down. The next 5 infusions went smoothly. I had a fungus on my big toenail. My doctor warned me it would get much worse. He was right, I had to have the toenail removed. But I got a 4.5-year remission. I was treated again and got a 3.5-year remission. Little to no side effects. I had it done again in 2016. At that time, I took a break. I didn't even monitor my counts. No bleeding until 2021. I had bleeding from my mouth and went to the hospital, platelets 2k. They stabilized me with dexamethasone and IVIG. Since it was COVID time, I did not follow up with my doctor. Now we are in 2024. I again had bleeding from my mouth and went to the hospital. Same treatment. Now 2.5 weeks after hospital release, my platelets are down to 17. So it looks like I will be using it again after dex."

• KJD...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 24, 2024

"Tired, but it keeps my platelets up for about three years."