About CLL
Safety Information
 

About Watch-and-Wait

You may have heard the term watch-and-wait. That means the doctor and patient will watch for symptoms and not start treatment unless needed. Some people with CLL never need treatment. While you watch-and-wait:

  • Learn all you can. Ask your doctor about the stage of your disease. Then, you can watch your CLL together.
 
 

Your Symptom Checklist

To help you be involved in monitoring your symptoms, download or print this checklist.

   
  • Ask questions. Review all of the information you receive from your doctor. Ask questions if you don’t understand. And keep asking until you do
  • Get support. Discuss your feelings with a support group, a nurse, and/or a loved one. This can help you feel better. Visit the CLL Resources section for more information

This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor. Discuss with your doctor any questions you have about your medical condition or your treatment.

Next Section Chemotherapy

Indications

RITUXAN® (Rituximab) is indicated in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC chemotherapy) for the treatment of patients with:

  • Previously untreated CD20-positive CLL
  • Previously treated CD20-positive CLL

People with serious infections should not receive RITUXAN.

Safety Information

  • RITUXAN can cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including: infusion reactions, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS; kidney failure due to fast breakdown of cancer cells), severe skin and mouth reactions, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML; a rare, serious brain infection).
  • RITUXAN has also been associated with serious and life-threatening side effects, including: the return of active hepatitis B virus infection with sudden and serious liver problems including liver failure, and death, other serious infections that can lead to death, heart problems, kidney problems, and stomach and serious bowel problems including blockage and tears in the bowel that can sometimes lead to death.
  • The most common side effects of RITUXAN seen in clinical trials of patients with CLL were infusion reactions and low white blood cells, which can increase the risk of infections. Before starting treatment with RITUXAN it is important for you to talk to your doctor about your medical history.
  • Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects with RITUXAN. For more information, ask your doctor.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide, in PDF format.