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.