riTUXimab
Other Name: Rituxan®; Truxima™; Riximyo™; Ruxience™; Riabni™
mixed into larger bags of fluids
- For treating blood cancers such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Rituximab is available as a biosimilar medication. See our biosimilar pamphlet for more information.
- Tell your doctor if you have or had significant medical condition(s) such as:
- kidney or liver disease (including hepatitis),
- lung disease (including tuberculosis),
- heart problems or stroke, or
- any allergies.
- It is important to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications. If you take medications to lower your blood pressure, you may need to hold the dose before your treatment visit; check with your health care team before you come for treatment.
- People with cancer have a higher risk of getting other cancers or developing blood clots. Some cancer medications may increase these risks, especially if used for a long period of time. Discuss any concerns about this medication with your health care team.
Remember to:
- Tell your health care team about all of the other medications you are taking.
- Keep taking other medications that have been prescribed for you, unless you have been told not to by your health care team.
You will have a blood test to check for hepatitis B before starting treatment. See the Hepatitis B and Cancer Medications pamphlet for more information.
Talk to your health care team about:
How this medication may affect your sexual health.
How this medication may affect your ability to have a baby, if this applies to you.
This medication may harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care team if you or your partner are pregnant, become pregnant during treatment, or are breastfeeding.
If there is any chance of pregnancy happening, you and your partner together must use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time until 12 months after your last dose. Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.
Do not breastfeed while on this medication and for 6 months after the last dose.
- This drug is given by injection into a vein (IV).
- If you have no serious reactions to the drug, the next doses can be given over a shorter amount of time.
- You will always be given drug(s) before your riTUXimab dose to prevent a reaction.
This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
For mild aches and pain or fever:
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
- You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets. Ask your health care team about the right dose for you.
- Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), including low dose aspirin for heart conditions, may increase your chance of bleeding. Talk to your health care team before you start or stop these medications.
- Talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room right away if you have a fever. See the Fever pamphlet for more information.
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.
You may not have all of the side effects below. You may have side effects that are not listed.
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Drug-related reaction
| Get emergency medical help right away |
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Fatigue (tiredness)
See our Fatigue pamphlet for more information.
| Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Nausea and vomiting (generally mild) May occur in hours to days after your treatment. If you have nausea or vomiting:
Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information. | Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Headache; mild joint, muscle pain or cramps
| Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Low platelets in the blood
See the Low Platelet Count pamphlet for more information Fever, chills, infection (includes less common infections that happen when the immune system is weakened, such as viral infections) You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
While you are getting treatment:
If you have a fever, talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room. | Get emergency medical help right away | ||||
Rash; dry, itchy skin Rash may be severe in some rare cases and cause your skin to blister or peel. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away.
| Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Flu-like symptoms
| Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Tingling, numb fingers and toes
| Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Low blood pressure; dizziness
| Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
Other rare, but serious side effects are possible.
If you experience ANY of the following, speak to your cancer health care provider or get emergency medical help right away:
- Irregular heartbeat, chest pain, fainting, swelling
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, coughing up blood
- Pain, swelling or hardening of a vein in your arm or leg
- Trouble with speaking, moving, memory, problems with your vision, severe headaches or seizure
- Sudden, severe belly pain or bloating
- Signs of kidney problems such as lower back pain, body swelling, passing little or no urine, or recent unusual weight gain
- Muscle cramps, twitches, unusual weakness, fainting, feeling confused or restless
- Yellowish skin and eyes, red-brown coloured pee
Who do I contact if I have questions or need help?My cancer health care provider is: ______________________________________________ During the day I should contact:________________________________________________ Evenings, weekends and holidays:______________________________________________
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Other Notes:
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October 2023 Updated " How will this medication affect sex, pregnancy and breastfeeding" section
For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.