Rituximab and Allergic Reaction: What Users Say

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2017

Rituximab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "This is the first day I've had ZERO pain in 6 years. I tried Enbrel - good but not strong enough after 2 years. Humira - allergic. I just finished my second infusion from Rituxan. And I am cautiously happy. Absolutely no pain anywhere."

• Rob...
• June 15, 2014

Rituximab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "Entering the 7th hour of the process during my 1st infusion; I experienced annoying itching deep within my ears, back of throat, head and face. Shortly after the 'push', increasing the drip, I broke out into hives on my face, head and neck with red welts ironically appearing in the areas where I had historically given myself the Enbrel injections...front of both thighs and stomach. Enbrel had stopped its effectiveness after almost 2 years and it had been almost 1 month from my last injection prior to the infusion. My doctor made the decision to discontinue the infusion fearing that my allergic reaction may cause anaphylaxis."

• Anonymous
• October 3, 2011

Rituximab for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma "After the first round of chemo with Rituxan, my lymphoma lump was completely gone to the touch. Yes, I did have a mild reaction the first time Rituxan was administered, but it was easily resolved with a little Benadryl and a slow down of the Rituxan drip. I did not have any allergic reaction of the subsequent two rounds of chemo. After only three rounds of chemo, I had another PET/CT scan and was deemed in total remission. Almost a year later and still no return of the lymphoma, and I feel great. It is amazing what medical science can do today to treat and cure people of cancer."

• SRR...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 7, 2018

Rituximab for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I'm sensitive & allergic to more meds than not. I was diagnosed with RA 10 years ago at 35 years old. We tried everything, and decided on Rituxan, which scared me, but I'm so grateful I tried it! The first one was very uncomfortable. I can't take any steroids (very allergic), so I rely on Benadryl IV. I had a mild reaction toward the end and felt bad for days. Two weeks later, same thing happened. I thought, I'm not doing this if I'm going to feel rubbish for two weeks. Almost exactly four months later, I started feeling all the fun stuff that had gone with RA. I had forgotten how I typically felt. It worked very quickly for me and has only gotten better. I went to my doctor, she said, 'you're a four-month person.' Personally, Rituxan was the starting point of a complete life shift. I felt better, which gave me energy, allowing me to slowly start going to the gym, which goes hand in hand with eating clean. It has been a life-changing medication for me."

• rlh...
• December 4, 2010

Rituximab for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma "Just finished my sixth round of chemo treatment. I had Follicular B-cell Lymphoma. One on my right shoulder, one on my neck, and two on my chest. After the fourth round and a PET scan, the doctor diagnosed me as being in 100% remission. I will do more research on the Rituxan maintenance program recommended by my oncologist. I had a reaction to the Rituxan during my first treatment, but did not have any other problems with the medicine. Highly recommended."

• Cav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have RA and had my first round of Rituxan on 22 June and going for second dose 8 July. Felt pretty great for the first few days with little side effects, thankfully, as so far I’ve been allergic to pretty much everything. Tried Actemra, Xeljanz, Methotrexate, and prednisone with little to no relief and a lot of allergies. Woke up in a lot of pain today and am glad I found this page. It seems like it will take a while to start working, so I’ll continue to hang in there and be hopeful. Good luck to everyone."

• Hea...
• May 19, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Yesterday - 5th course Rituximab infusions. 2016, last 18 months ago, I thought I was in remission. Despite a complete removal of processed foods and a very healthy diet and exercise 'plan' (self-motivated), I had a big flare-up. I have refused Methotrexate for 2.5 years, having tried for 3 years. I'm happier and healthier. The first ever infusion was stopped due to an allergic reaction in the throat, mouth, and rash on the face and chest. But Piriton was given, and the infusion continued. Piriton is now given to everyone now (UK Chester), before infusion, and advice to take to combat further reactions: rash, sore throat, etc., for 3 days after. This works. I feel washed out, headache 3-6 days, steroid shakes, lack of sleep, flushes, but no ill effects between courses, 7 months apart."

• Sis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 10, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This is for my rheumatoid vasculitis. This first dose caused a reaction, but the staff was right on the first indication, adjusted the drip, and we continued. It took around 7 hours. The Benadryl made me fall asleep. The second one, two weeks later, went without incident, about 4 hours. Five months later, I have been able to reduce my prednisone intake without a flare-up of RA, and the nerve pain from the vasculitis has remarkably dwindled from lasting and unbearable to very manageable. It doesn't reverse damage, but my sed rate is around 11 (from 30), and if I didn't have to worry so much about the ghastly cost of this med, at this point I have to say it's been most amazing. There is financial help available, I think."

• Jer...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 19, 2023

For Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis "I went through two rounds of rituximab about a month after being diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. While getting the infusion, I had a slight allergic reaction to it, which caused them to slow down the infusions (4-6 hours for each round). After the infusions, we began to see positive results, and my blood tests began to show signs it was working. After a little over a year, I was given the all-clear and told I was in remission. At the time I was going through this (2016), rituximab was not being used much for FSGS. However, I was lucky, and my insurance covered it. I would highly recommend anyone with the disease do whatever they can to use this medicine over the other options, which include a large and long dose of steroids. I am very pleased and have not had any additional issues since then."

• Pho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2016

For Bullous Pemphigoid "I had 2 infusions in June, 2 weeks apart. Had a severe reaction with the first infusion and a mild reaction with the second infusion. Have not noticed any changes in my condition. I've read it might take up to 3 months to see the effects of rituximab. Am still taking azathioprine, prednisone, and doxycycline to manage symptoms."

• Pho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2016

For Bullous Pemphigoid "I had 2 infusions in June, 2 weeks apart. Had a severe reaction with the first infusion and a mild reaction with the second infusion. Have not noticed any changes in my condition. I've read it might take up to 3 months to see the effects of rituximab. Am still taking azathioprine, prednisone, and doxycycline to manage symptoms."

• Gia...
• February 3, 2016

For Microscopic Polyangiitis "I was dx with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with cryoglobulinemia caused by Sjögren's syndrome. The tx the first time I was dx was a course of 7 plasmapheresis treatments, prednisone, and Rituxan (was effective at the time, no side effects). The next year I had an exacerbation and they decided to give me Rituxan again. A week after I had my first dose, I had a severe allergic reaction, which at that time they were not sure it was the Rituxan. I was 4 days in the hospital with severe hives all over the body, swollen face and lips, severe pain in my joints, and high creatinine levels. With high doses of prednisone, I was stabilized. For the next tx with Rituxan, I had an immediate allergic reaction as before and they had to stop the tx."