For Family and Friends
Important Safety Information
Caring for Yourself
To be a good caregiver, you must also take good care of yourself. When you are fully rested, you will be able to make better decisions. And you will have the energy you need to effectively care for your loved one. The following tips may help:
- Eat well-balanced meals and get plenty of rest
- Find the time to exercise, even if it is just for a short walk every day
- Make the time to do things you enjoy such as reading, listening to music, and writing
- Try some activities that may help you to relax such as meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises
- Share the burden. You can ask friends and family to help. When you are overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional home caregiver
- Consider joining a caregiver support group. Also, talk to your loved one’s nurses about finding additional help and support. There are many excellent support resources for people with NHL. You can find contact information for some of these resources here
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 and Important Safety Information
RITUXAN® (Rituximab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with:
- Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent
- Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with CVP chemotherapy
- Non-progressing (including stable disease), low-grade, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL, as a single agent, after first-line CVP chemotherapy
- Previously untreated diffuse large B-cell, CD20-positive NHL in combination with CHOP or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens
People with serious infections should not receive RITUXAN.
Important 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 patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma were infusion reactions, fever, chills, low white blood cells, infections, body aches, and tiredness. Before starting treatment with RITUXAN it is important 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.
