Rituximab

U.S. Brand Names

Rituxan®

Canadian Brand Names

Rituxan®

Mexican Brand Names

Mabthera

Pharmacologic Category

Antineoplastic Agent, Monoclonal Antibody; Monoclonal Antibody

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

Some patients experience severe reactions during the infusion. Serious kidney and skin problems have been reported.

Serious infections have occurred in patients who take these types of medicines. Talk with healthcare provider.

Please read the medication guide given to you.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to rituximab or any other part of this medicine.

• If you are allergic to mouse proteins, talk with healthcare provider.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

• If you are breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat blood disorders.

• This medicine is used to treat leukemias/lymphomas.

• This medicine is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

How does it work?

• Rituximab injures cancer cells causing their death.

• It is an arthritis-changing medicine. It reduces inflammation and helps reduce symptoms and protect joints from further harm.

How is it best taken?

• Acetaminophen and diphenhydramine may be given before this medicine to decrease fever and chills.

• Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.

• This medicine is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Call healthcare provider for instructions.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Hepatitis B testing may be suggested. Unrecognized hepatitis B infection may worsen during treatment.

• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• If you are taking medicine for high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider. Healthcare provider may ask you to skip that medicine on the morning of treatment.

• If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have lung disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.

• Talk with healthcare provider before receiving any vaccinations. Use with this medicine may either increase the risk of serious infection or make the vaccination less effective.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.

• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine and for up to 12 months following this medication.

• If taking this medicine for rheumatoid arthritis, make sure you are current with all your vaccinations.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Flu-like symptoms. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes, aches, pains, and sweating. Mild pain medicine may help.

• Low blood pressure.

• Feeling tired and weak.

• Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Headache.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Belly pain.

• Cough.

• Runny nose.

• Low platelet and white blood cell counts.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.

• Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.

• Sudden change or loss of vision.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Severe dizziness or passing out.

• Significant change in balance.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Difficulty speaking.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Severe headache.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe belly pain.

• Yellow skin or eyes.

• Severe diarrhea.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 15:34:27.0

Modified: 2008-04-30 11:13:16.0

Lexi-PALS^TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.