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| Pronunciation |
|
 (ri
TUK si
mab) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Rituxan® |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Antineoplastic Agent, Monoclonal Antibody |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
Some patients experience severe reactions during the infusion. This
medicine causes low blood cell counts for a long period of time. Your healthcare
provider will need to monitor your blood cell counts. |
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|
| 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 non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma. |
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
Rituximab injures cancer cells causing their
death. |
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.
This medicine is given as a shot into a
vein. |
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
Call healthcare provider for
instructions. |
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could
have more side effects.
If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use
this medicine.
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. |
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
Flu-like symptoms. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes,
aches, pains, and sweating. Mild pain medicine may help.
Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying
position. Be careful climbing.
Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care,
sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
Diarrhea. |
|
|
| 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.
Watch for tarry black stools.
Follow up with healthcare provider. |
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center
immediately or dial 911.
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.
Severe dizziness or passing out.
Severe headache.
Severe nausea or vomiting.
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 |
|
|
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).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter, natural products, or
vitamins. |
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