Download rituximab

rituximab
Pronunciation: ri TUX i mab
Brand: Rituxan
What is the most important information I should know about rituximab?
• You should not receive this medication if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to rituximab.
• Some people receiving a rituximab injection have had a reaction to the infusion (within 24 hours after the medicine is
injected into the vein).
Tell your caregiver right away
short of breath, or if you have
chest pain, wheezing, sudden cough, or pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest.
if you feel dizzy, weak, light-headed,
• If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop using this medication, even months after
stopping.
• Call your doctor right away if you have
symptoms of a serious viral infection of the brain, such as: confusion, trouble
concentrating, problems with speech or walking, vision problems, or weakness on one side of your body.
What is rituximab?
• Rituximab is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
• Rituximab is used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
• Rituximab is also used in combination with another drug called methotrexate to treat symptoms of adult rheumatoid
arthritis.
• Rituximab is also used in combination with steroid medicines to treat certain rare disorders that cause inflammation
of blood vessels and other tissues in the body.
• Rituximab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving rituximab?
• You should not receive this medication if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to rituximab, or if you are allergic
to mouse protein.
• To make sure you can safely use rituximab, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
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liver disease or hepatitis B (or if you are a carrier of hepatitis B);
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kidney disease;
·
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);
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lung disease or a breathing disorder;
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a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicines);
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a recent or active infection, including herpes, shingles, cytomegalovirus, chickenpox, parvovirus, West Nile virus,
hepatitis C, or any infection that keeps coming back or does not clear up;
a history of heart disease, angina (chest pain), or heart rhythm disorder; or
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if you have used certain arthritis medicines in the past that were not effective, including adalimumab (Humira),
certolizumab (Cimzia), golimumab (Simponi), etanercept (Enbrel), or infliximab (Remicade).
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether rituximab will harm an unborn baby. Rituximab can affect the
immune system of a newborn if the mother receives the medication during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Use effective birth control while you are using this medication and for at
least 12 months after your treatment ends.
• It is not known whether rituximab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive rituximab
without telling your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
How is rituximab given?
• Rituximab is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. Follow your doctor's
dosing instructions very carefully.
• Before you receive rituximab, you may be given other medications to prevent certain side effects that rituximab can
cause.
• If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using rituximab.
• While using rituximab, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor's office.
• If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop using this medication, even months after
stopping.
Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using rituximab.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Call your doctor if you miss an appointment for your rituximab injection.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while receiving rituximab?
• Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using rituximab, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently
received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles,
mumps, rubella (MMR), Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), oral polio, rotavirus, smallpox, yellow fever, varicella
(chickenpox), zoster (shingles), oral typhoid vaccine, and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.
What are the possible side effects of rituximab?
• Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic reaction
: hives; chest tightness, trouble
breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Some people receiving a rituximab injection have had a reaction to the infusion (within 24 hours after the medicine is
injected into the vein).
Tell your caregiver right away
short of breath, or if you have
chest pain, wheezing, sudden cough, or pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest.
if you feel dizzy, weak, light-headed,
• Rituximab increases the risk of a serious viral infection of the brain that can lead to disability or death.
Call your doctor
right away if you have
symptoms such as confusion, trouble concentrating, problems with speech or walking, vision
problems, or weakness on one side of your body.
• Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects,
even if they occur several months after
you receive rituximab, or after your treatment ends.
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fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, feeling weak or tired;
ongoing cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
headache, earache, painful mouth ulcers, skin sores, warmth or swelling with skin redness;
pain or burning when you urinate, urinating less than usual;
severe skin rash with blistering, itching, peeling, or pus;
weak pulse, fainting, overactive reflexes;
muscle weakness, tightness, or contraction; or
lower back pain, blood in your urine, numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth.
• Other common side effects may include:
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mild stomach pain, nausea, or diarrhea;
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muscle or joint pain;
·
back pain; or
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night sweats.
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect rituximab?
• Tell your doctor about all medications you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with rituximab,
especially:
·
other medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis; or
·
medications to treat psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease.
• This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with rituximab, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and
herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Where can I get more information?
• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about rituximab.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines
with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but
no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by
healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are
appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2012 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 9.01. Revision Date: 11/15/2012.