Rituxan ratings & reviews

Rituximab (Murine)
Company: Genentech
Brand: Rituxan
Drug class: Antineoplastic and Immunomodulating Agents
+4 more
Antineoplastic and Immunomodulating Agents, Antineoplastics, Antineoplastic Monoclonal Antibodies, Antineoplastic Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Cluster of Differentiation (CD) Antigens, Antineoplastic Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting CD20

Sermo AI Overview

  • While Rituxan is well-regarded for its overall tolerability, some patients may experience side effects. There is a consensus on its effectiveness, but concerns about long-term safety and varying tolerability among patient populations persist.
  • Rituxan is generally regarded as an effective treatment across several conditions, particularly for granulomatosis with polyangiitis and various forms of vasculitis, receiving positive feedback for its efficacy and safety from healthcare professionals.
  • Many specialists recognize Rituxan's favorable efficacy profile in treating conditions like pemphigus vulgaris and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, although the need for collaborative decision-making underscores varying opinions in treatment approaches.
  • Challenges with accessibility and variability in patient adherence have been reported, suggesting that while Rituxan is effective, barriers such as insurance approval and tolerability issues can affect patient outcomes.
Based on insights from Sermo’s triple verified physicians

Description

Rituxan is an injection that contains the active ingredient rituximab, a chimeric murine/human monoclonal antibody targeting the CD20 antigen. It is supplied as a sterile, preservative-free, clear, colorless solution for intravenous infusion, available in 10 mg/mL concentration with vial sizes of 100 mg/10 mL or 500 mg/50 mL. Key inactive ingredients include polysorbate 80, sodium chloride, and sodium citrate dihydrate.

Source: This information is sourced from FDA and powered by AI

Dosage & Administration

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected into a vein. It is given by a care team in a hospital or clinic setting. A special MedGuide will be given to you before each treatment. Be sure to read this information carefully each time. Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 6 months for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

Keep appointments for follow-up doses. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Side Effects

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible: -Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing -Bowel blockage—stomach cramping, unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas, loss of appetite, vomiting -Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, confusion or trouble speaking -Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded -Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing -Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell -Infusion reactions—chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded -Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet -Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue -Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth -Stomach pain that is severe, does not go away, or gets worse -Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)—nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decrease in the amount of urine, dark urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, confusion, muscle pain or cramps, fast or irregular heartbeat, joint pain Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome): -Headache -Joint pain -Nausea -Runny or stuffy nose -Unusual weakness or fatigue

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings & Precautions

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions: -Chest pain -Heart disease -Immune system problems -Infection, such as chickenpox, cold sores, hepatitis B, herpes -Irregular heartbeat or rhythm -Kidney disease -Low blood counts, such as low white cells, platelets, red cells -Lung disease -Recent or upcoming vaccine -An unusual or allergic reaction to rituximab, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives -Pregnant or trying to get pregnant -Breast-feeding

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following: -Live vaccines This medication may also interact with the following: -Cisplatin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication. You may need blood work while taking this medication. This medication can cause serious infusion reactions. To reduce the risk your care team may give you other medications to take before receiving this one. Be sure to follow the directions from your care team. This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Call your care team if you are around anyone with measles, chickenpox, or if you develop sores or blisters that do not heal properly. Avoid taking medications that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your care team. These medications may hide a fever. This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. You may also notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms. In some patients, this medication may cause a serious brain infection that may cause death. If you have any problems seeing, thinking, speaking, walking, or standing, tell your care team right away. If you cannot reach your care team, urgently seek another source of medical care. Talk to your care team if you may be pregnant. Serious birth defects can occur if you take this medication during pregnancy and for 12 months after the last dose. You will need a negative pregnancy test before starting this medication. Contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 12 months after the last dose. Your care team can help you find the option that works for you. Do not breastfeed while taking this medication and for at least 6 months after the last dose.

What are the most serious risks of this medication?

This medicine can cause severe, life-threatening neurologic problems. If you have ever had hepatitis B, you may get a flare-up or return of the hepatitis during use of this medicine. Your healthcare provider will monitor your liver function. You will need to discontinue this medicine and take other medicines if your hepatitis flares-up or returns. This medication may cause rare but serious skin rashes. This medicine can cause a serious, life-threatening reaction during the infusion and for at least a day after the infusion. You will be monitored carefully during and after the infusion.

Source: This information is sourced from Elsevier Inc.

Disclaimer

The reviews, ratings, comments, and opinions expressed on this platform are solely those of the individual medical professionals who posted them and do not reflect the views or positions of Sermo, Inc. Sermo does not endorse, verify, or validate the content of individual reviews. The information provided is user-generated and reflects personal clinical experiences, which may not be complete, accurate, or applicable to your specific health needs. It is not intended as medical advice.

Prescription medications affect individuals differently, and what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed applies to your personal circumstances. Only a licensed healthcare provider can advise you on what is safe and effective for you.

Keep all medications out of the reach of children, never share your medicine with others, and use each medication only as prescribed. Your reliance on any information provided on this platform is at your own risk.

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