What is Rituxan: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. It must be given slowly, so the needle will have to stay in place for at least 90 minutes.

Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Your doctor may also give you other medicines (including fever medicine, allergy medicine, or steroid) at least 30 minutes before starting treatment to help prevent unwanted side effects.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Your doctor may also give you other medicines (including fever medicine, allergy medicine, or steroid) at least 30 minutes before starting treatment to help prevent unwanted side effects.

Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. It must be given slowly, so the needle will have to stay in place for at least 90 minutes.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Injection routeCall your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to rituximab, or if you are pregnant.

Injection routeIt is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 12 months after your last dose.

Do not breastfeed during treatment with this medicine and for at least 6 months after the last dose.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease (including hepatitis B), chest pain (angina), heart disease, lung problems, immune system problems (including hypogammaglobulinemia), any type of infection, or a history of chest pain (angina) or heart rhythm problems.

Tell your doctor if you have had a reaction to murine (mice or rat) proteins. Murine proteins are also used in other medicines.

This medicine may cause the following problems:Infusion reactionSerious skin reactionsProgressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (brain infection that can be life-threatening)Tumor lysis syndrome (electrolyte and metabolic problem that can be life-threatening)Increased risk for infectionHeart and heart rhythm problemsKidney problemsBowel problems (including blockage and perforation)

Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Call your doctor right away if you have a cough that won't go away, weight loss, night sweats, fever, chills, flu-like symptoms (such as a runny or stuffy nose, headache, blurred vision, or feeling generally ill), painful or difficult urination, or sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips. These may be signs of infection.

This medicine may cause a rare and serious brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The risk for getting this infection is higher if you have rheumatoid arthritis. Check with your doctor right away if you have more than one of these symptoms: vision changes, loss of coordination, clumsiness, memory loss, difficulty speaking or understanding what others say, and weakness in the legs.

Check with your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of liver problems, including yellow skin and eyes, dark urine or pale stools, nausea and vomiting, or upper stomach pain.

Check with your doctor right away if you have abdominal pain. This medicine could cause serious stomach and bowel problems, such as a bowel obstruction or a hole in your bowel.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

Sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

Unusual bleeding or bruising

Unusual tiredness or weakness

Some medicines can affect how rituximab works. Tell your doctor if you are using other medicines to treat arthritis, medicine that can weaken the immune system, or steroid medicine.

This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines. Non-live vaccines may be given at least 4 weeks before starting rituximab.

Tell your doctor if you have had a reaction to murine (mice or rat) proteins. Murine proteins are also used in other medicines.

Rituximab may cause a serious side effect called an infusion reaction. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor or nurse right away if you have a rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, trouble breathing, or chest pain.

This medicine may cause a serious reaction called tumor lysis syndrome. Call your doctor right away if you have changes in how often you urinate, rapid weight gain, swelling of the feet or lower legs, uneven heartbeat, or seizures.

If you have a severe skin reaction, tell your doctor right away. Symptoms may include blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills.

This medicine may increase your risk of infections during treatment and up to a year after treatment. These infections can be severe and lead to death. Avoid being near people who are sick. Wash your hands often. Tell your doctor if you have lupus or have ever had an infection that kept coming back.

Call your doctor right away if you have a cough that won't go away, weight loss, night sweats, fever, chills, flu-like symptoms (such as a runny or stuffy nose, headache, blurred vision, or feeling generally ill), painful or difficult urination, or sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips. These may be signs of infection.

This medicine may cause a rare and serious brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The risk for getting this infection is higher if you have rheumatoid arthritis. Check with your doctor right away if you have more than one of these symptoms: vision changes, loss of coordination, clumsiness, memory loss, difficulty speaking or understanding what others say, and weakness in the legs.

Check with your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of liver problems, including yellow skin and eyes, dark urine or pale stools, nausea and vomiting, or upper stomach pain.

Check with your doctor right away if you have abdominal pain. This medicine could cause serious stomach and bowel problems, such as a bowel obstruction or a hole in your bowel.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.