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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
Rituximab (ri-TUX-i-mab) is a monoclonal antibody. It is used to treat a type of cancer called non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Rituximab is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For rituximab, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual reaction to rituximab or to mouse proteins.
Pregnancy--Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals. However, rituximab is related to immunoglobulin, which affects the baby's ability to fight infection and which does cross the placenta. Women who are able to bear children should use some kind of birth control during treatment with rituximab and for up to 12 months after treatment has ended. Before receiving this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while receiving rituximab.
Breast-feeding--It is not known whether rituximab passes into the breast milk. However, because of the possibility of serious effects, breast-feeding is not recommended while you are receiving this medicine and for a while after you stop receiving it. Discuss with your doctor the proper time to begin breast-feeding after treatment with rituximab.
Children--Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of rituximab in children with use in other age groups.
Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of rituximab.
Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially
heart problems (angina; arrhythmias) or sensitivity or a previous severe allergic
reaction to rituximab or to mouse proteins. Dosing--The
dose of rituximab will be different for different patients. The dose that
is used may depend on a number of things, including your size. Rituximab is
usually given by a doctor or nurse in the hospital or an outpatient clinic.
If you have any questions about the proper dose of rituximab, ask your doctor. Along with its needed
effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these
side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check
with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects
occur: More common Dizziness; feeling of swelling of tongue or throat; fever and chills; flushing of face; headache; itching; nausea; runny nose; shortness
of breath; skin rash; unusual
tiredness; vomiting Less common Black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; fever or chills with cough
or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination; pain at place of injection; pinpoint red spots on skin; red, itchy lining of
eye; swelling of feet or lower legs; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual
weakness Rare Chest pain; irregular heartbeat This medicine may also cause the following side effects that
your doctor will watch for: Less common Anemia; hypertension (high blood pressure); low white blood cell count Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical
attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts
to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side
effects continue or are bothersome: Less common Abdominal or stomach pain; agitation or anxiety; back pain; change
in taste; diarrhea; dry
eyes; general feeling of discomfort or illness; heartburn; increased cough; joint pain; loss of appetite; muscle pain; nervousness; numbness or tingling of hands or feet; sore throat; swelling of stomach; trouble in sleeping After you stop
using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention.
During this period of time
check with your doctor immediately
if you notice any of the following: Black, tarry stools; blood in urine
or stools; fever or chills with cough or hoarseness,
lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination; pinpoint red spots on skin; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness Other side effects not listed
above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check
with your doctor.
Developed: 03/23/98
Proper Use of This Medicine
Side Effects of This Medicine
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