User Reviews for Rituxan intravenous

2011 I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dermatomyositis, interstitial lung disease, Asthma, Sjogrens and GERD. I have taken every RX available, biologics including Humira, Acthar and IVIG to no avail. On high doses of Prednisone orally and by IV at ER. My last chance drug is Rituximad. I have had two infusions two weeks apart. Second infusion great! First infusion scratchy throat- cold symptoms- given IV-Hydrocortisone and IV Benedryl - waited 30 minutes and finished infusion. RA pain in the AM has greatly subsided. Have few headaches, sensitive/itchy scalp, shell fish/fresh fruit allergy (itching). Had blisters in my mouth - bottom of feet sore. But really help with RA pain!!! I'm feeling better and cautiously more active. Can't venture out much because of immune system being extremely low with Rituximad, Prednisone and Azathiaprine meds. But feels god to get rid of some of the pain.Read More Read Less

I just finished my fourth infusion. One a week for four weeks. Rituxan was given to me in this manner to treat for severe RA and Vacillitis. The infusions went much smoother than I expected and although I am still tapering down from prednisone I feel like I have my life back. I went from not being able to get out of bed and missing work at least twice a week to being able to go daily and do all the physical things I want to do. Not sure how much prednisone (still on 15mg daily) is playing a part of this relief and how much the Rituxan is. The next few months will tell the whole story. My only side effect has been some tingling in my hands, feet and lips. Read More Read Less

Had my first treatment (infusion) yesterday for myositis. It took approx. 5.5 hours from start to finish. Had a reaction, severe itch that started in my ears and worked to my hairline. Treatment immediately stopped and was given a high dose of Benadryl, treatment then resumed at the next lowest level. No further complications. Will have second treatment in two weeks. Will follow up on that when it occurs. Want to say JH Infusion Center was on the ball and top notch. Had a lot of anxiety going in, but the staff was courteous, kind, and informative. Read More Read Less

Was on Methotrexate for almost 3.25 years. Switched to Rituxan after few flare-ups. So far gotten 2 infusions 2 weeks apart. One month after the second infusion - got community acquired pneumonia. Next infusion scheduled in 3 months. Hoping it goes smoothly without any infection coming!

I had bad reaction to the infusion. I experienced myalgia and arthralgia after the infusion. I was told this would be temporary condition lasting a few months at most. It has now been 6 years and am still suffering. I am in chronic pain and am taking narcotics. According to my doctor when the reaction was reported, this was unheard of by the drug rep. Deeper research has revealed that this probably happens in about 1 in 10,000 patients. Lucky me. My doctor was even unaware of this possible side effect. The specialist at the NYU Joint center say they have seen too many cases similar to mine. Read More Read Less

Diagnosed 07/2004, at age 47 yrs old & began with Methotrexate & a lot of other meds; can't recall all of them now. I was on Humira Injections for 4.5 yrs & then it began to stop working. Lab numbers began going up. So, the Rheumatologist began Orencia, only used 1.5 yrs, never really began to work. He then switched me to Rituxan. It began to work within 1 month, if not sooner. I have severe RA, I have used since 2.2011. Has been a wonderful change!! No side effects, take infusions every 16 (& 18 weeks). Thank you!!!Read More Read Less

I have an undiagnosed autoimmune disorder that started in 2010, and continued to escalate from through 2013. I have a history of of CVID dating to 2005. Symptoms are compatible with neurological form of Sjogren's -incapacitating fatigue, insidious small fiber neuropathy, GERD, and dryness of mouth and sinuses. I also developed chronic migraines starting 2010. When high-dose IVIG failed to work for me I was administered Rituxan in August of 2013. I had 3 infusions, each a week apart. I responded subtly within a week of the third infusion - as if a switch was turned on in my immune system. Within 6 weeks I was able to begin exercising and socializing for the first time in 2 years. I had been essentially housebound previously. My energy went from a 1 to a 5-7 on average, my neuropathy went from a 10 to a 1, spiking to a 3/4 when I had a migraine (no change in those unfortunately). The medication washed out after 6 months, and I have descended to 80% of my pre-Rituxan state within 4 weeks. I am currently awaiting a second round of Rituxan treatment. I feel that with 6 month regular interval treatments I could live a "normal life". I have not worked full time, and barely at all, since 2010. The consensus seems to be that response to Rituxan is either fantastic or not. For those with autoimmune diseases, success is dependent on whether your B cells are largely responsible for creating the antibodies attacking your immune system. As of yet, there is no test to quantify that. It's deduced from the response to the treatment itself. Good luck to those reading this. I hope you (or your loved one) receives release from their suffering soon. Read More Read Less

I am a 49 year old female who was diagnosed ten years ago with RA, Fibromyalgia, and Sjogren's disease. I also have type II diabetes,and high blood pressure. I had to quit my job as a teacher because of my conditions. I have been on disability for two years. I recently took two infusions of Rituxan two weeks apart. Each time, I took Benadryl and aspirin before the IV. The only side effect that I experienced was that my blood sugar went really high. My starting sugar was 170, by the end of the infusion it was up to 372. The second time, we didn't take a before reading, but my ending sugar was 575. Both times I took extra insulin and it went back to normal in about a day. I don't feel remarkably different. I am still experiencing pain in my wrists, hands and fingers, but my feet seem a little better. I take Lyrica and Cymbalta and Opana for pain daily. I still am experiencing bouts of severe fatigue, sleeping 15 or more hours a day usually for 2-3 days in a row. Rarely do I feel well--good days are few and far between. I have very little energy to do anything. I have had a few headaches since the infusion. I will not take any more Rituxan for six months. I was expecting more -- and I am surprised that I didn't have any major side effects, but I didn't have any major improvements either. Maybe it will kick in later, but it seems to me that if it was going to do anything for me, it would have done it by now. I don't know what I think about getting another infusion in six months. I have been on all the DMARDS and biologics; I was one one of the first people in my hospital to use Actemra and I tried and rejected Zeljanz before they even got their commercial on TV!! There aren't any more drugs for me to try unless some new ones get approved. I am scared to know what all of these drugs have done to my body.Read More Read Less

With the side effects I was getting from the chemo I'm still getting from just the rituxan now. It make me nauseous and very nerves. It was given once a week for the first two weeks after the cancer was gone. It is too strong for me to be given once a week. I will be getting my third infusion the 21st on November. I will not stand for two weeks in a row again. It really messed up my daily doings. Plus I am taking Paxel for anti-depression. Not working. I was told I would have a total of 5 infusion of this stuff. Not sure I want the last three.Read More Read Less

treatment very unpleasant----all signs of cancer gone----(after 6 weeks)----remaining side effects very painful---shooting pains from hip to foot when sitting----continuing to the present (-3 months since last treatment.

had a heart attack and needed a CAB open heart,found my platletts at 50,000 Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)because of my faith as a Jehovahs Witness and do not take whole blood transfusions they used steroids to raise blood count but it failed and caused poising to my system and needed hemo dialysis,with serveral attempt to talk me into blood transfusion and telling me I would die without it, they finally gave up and told me they could use retuxin 4 treatments a week apart... it has raised my platletts to over 196,000 and blood count is almost 14 and heacrit is 37.6 retuxin is working for this application, side info they did a bone marrow to rule out blood desease, and also my heart ventricals are 90%,80%,70%,30% blocked hopefully I am operated on in a few days, retuxin worked for platlett ploblemsRead More Read Less

unfortunately as I also have 2 have many PT/Inr checks due 2 the usual suspect of using Coumadin 4 some close 2 now near 50 yrs., my arm is overly sensitive 2 being punctured so the Infusion process i not e-z 4 me, period 2nd I found that after my 1st infusion round, my hair began 2 become very curly vs. my usual very straight, near boringly straight hair but not now as it's nearly uncontrolable with curls/twirls etc. & short term the Rituxan gives relief from the RA, but not long term but shorter term it's seems great at first blush, as they say sp O m ok with it tho I'im unsure as 2 what i might be doing 2 my heart. I'd like 2 know about what effects it does 've on the Cardiac system....Thanks, camaciintyre-RossRead More Read Less

Have had RR MS for 25 years. Within a week from the first dose i was walking without the cane! After the second, 2 weeks or so later, i am able to do things i couldn't do in years, like jumping. though it doesn't seem so important to be able to jump, it illustrate clearly my improvement. Might be too soon to say, but so far (3 weeks after i started) it has changed my life, something none of the other meds did for me (Avanex, Tysabri, IVIG etc).

Started 6/12 with rituxin and trianda white count whent from 377k to 2k after first treatment. Mostly no problems form 12hrs a month for 6 mths except tired a lot and one bad night of extreme chills and vomiting. Subsequent have developed active hepb and shingles within 6 mths from last treatment. Other then that all blood counts are in line. May have nothing to do with. T h e drugs but I think so

This drug is the only thing that has helped me with my RA. Only problems I've experienced with the infusion was some allergic reactions during the infusione that were corrected by decreasing the amount of the IV. Also had some nausea for a couple of weeks. The positives of this drug far out weigh the negatives.

I had 6 cycles of R-CHOP, once every three weeks. I have been on Rituxan now since November 2012, once every 2 months and will continue for 2 years. My scans have been great and I have been in remission. The IV takes a while, but it is very do-able!

What a difference! It feels so good to be better after so many years! 4 treatments in a month - took alot of hours for treatments. Lungs and kidneys are doing so much better. Starting to get some energy back.

I have had RA for over 30 years. Rituxan has allowed me to get my life back. My pain has been GREATLY reduced. I no longer have pain on a daily basis. I still have flare-ups but they are not as serious as before. I'm no longer a regular guest at the local hospital ER. I am free of my cane and walker. My depression is much better. I work part-time. I have a history of several joint operations, including joint replacement, but that has decreased significantly. I do have side effects: nausea (first treatment for three months and lost 15 pounds), hair loss, headaches and seizures, but they have improved over time. I can't prove they were all caused by Rituxan but occurred simultaneously. Thanks, Rituxan, for GIVING MY LIFE BACK.Read More Read Less

The hardest part 4 me is the IV. I have tiny baby veins. Ater I get my treatment I notice a reduction in fatigue and an increase in ease of use of my arms and my mobility . My neuro told me it was "not a cure" so after deciding to try it I went in w/ no expectations(especially after years of DMD's that I felt no benefit from). I think because every ones MS is different the effects of drugs will be different, that being said I totally recommend it for an SP treatment.