About Rituxan
Safety Information
 

Tips for Healthy Living

A healthy lifestyle can help

Successful treatment can start with a healthy lifestyle. The following tips can help.

  • Eat right A balanced diet is important throughout cancer treatment. But you may have side effects that affect your appetite. Try having a few small meals or snacks throughout the day instead of 2 or 3 large meals. Drink cool, clear liquids to help calm your stomach.
  • Stay involved Do something engaging with your loved ones, like playing a game, listening to music, or watching a movie.
  • Get plenty of rest You may feel tired during and after treatment. Ask others to help you with chores such as shopping, housework, or driving. Take naps throughout the day and sleep longer at night if you need to.
  • Exercise If your doctor recommends—light exercise such as walking may help with fatigue.
  • Seek support You may find yourself feeling overwhelmed. This is common. Sharing your feelings with a support group or loved one can help you cope.

Your doctor can help

Because chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may affect your body’s immune system, side effects or infections are possible. Your doctor may offer supportive care to help with certain symptoms or side effects. This care can include:

  • Antibiotics—to treat infections
  • Blood cell treatments—to help your healthy blood cells grow
  • Anti-nausea medicines—to help you avoid feeling sick

This care can be medicines you take at home or treatments given in your doctor’s office. Throughout treatment for CLL, it’s important to speak honestly with your doctor. If you notice any change in your health, tell your doctor right away.

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.

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.