Treating GPA and MPA

Treatments that control flares

There are a few different treatment options available when you have a flare. Your doctor will decide which treatment is right for you based on the type of AAV you have, your medical history, and the severity of your disease. The goal of treatment is to reduce the inflammation and control your symptoms.

You and your doctor may discuss different types of treatments. Talk to your doctor about what treatment options are right for you. It is important that you and your doctor weigh the risks and benefits of any medication. Although other medications are used to treat adults with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA), Rituxan is the first FDA-approved therapy for adults with GPA and MPA.

Treatments that you and your doctor may discuss:

• Steroids: Prescribed to control inflammation and often used in combination with other medications
• Immunosuppressive agents, such as cyclophosphamide and methotrexate: Have been used to treat GPA and MPA, but are not FDA approved for the treatment of GPA and MPA. Talk with your doctor about the side effects associated with these medications
• Rituxan: The first and only FDA-approved therapy available to treat adults with GPA and MPA. Used to treat a flare and put your disease into remission. Talk to your doctor about the side effects associated with Rituxan

Important safety information

Rituxan therapy can result in serious side effects, some of which can be life threatening. These include:

• infusion reactions
• tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)
• severe skin and mouth reactions
• progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)

Other serious, potentially life-threatening side effects are:

• hepatitis B infection that may become active again
• serious infections
• heart problems
• low blood cell counts

Common side effects included infections and infusion reactions.

Before treatment with Rituxan, patients should tell their doctor if they have an infection, including one that will not go away or that keeps coming back.

If patients experience any symptoms or side effects during or after Rituxan treatment, they should seek immediate medical attention.

These are not all of the possible side effects with Rituxan. Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.

For important safety information about Rituxan, talk with your doctor and please see the Medication Guide.