Infusion pages Get Tools and Tips for Infusion Day

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Important Safety Information

Important Safety Information

Managing Side Effects

It can be stressful to worry about whether side effects will occur. But often, side effects can be managed. That’s why it is good to prepare yourself by learning as much as you can about the treatment beforehand. And talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects or concerns you have. Select a treatment below to see tips for dealing with some common side effects.

This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about your treatment with RITUXAN or other medicines.

Icon: Radiation therapyRadiation therapy

Body: Radiation therapy

Be sure to ask your doctor or nurse what you can do to help minimize possible side effects of radiation therapy. These tips may also help.

Skin problems: After radiation therapy, the skin in the treated area may become dry, red, or irritated. Most skin reactions will go away within a few weeks. The following tips may help you manage any skin problems:

  • Try not to scratch or rub the treated skin
  • Do not put anything hot or cold such as heating pads or ice packs on the treated area
  • Keep the treated skin out of the sun. Wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher

Tiredness: After a few weeks of radiation therapy, it is usual to feel tired. But tiredness related to radiation therapy will gradually go away. The following tips may help with tiredness:

  • Ask others to help you with chores such as shopping, housework, or driving
  • Get plenty of rest and sleep longer at night if you need to
  • For some people, light exercise such as walking may help
  • Limit your activities to those that are most important to you

Icon: ChemotherapyChemotherapy

Body: Chemotherapy

Be sure to ask your doctor or nurse what you can do to help minimize possible side effects of chemotherapy. These tips may also help.

Nausea and vomiting: Medicines called antiemetics, or antinausea, drugs may make these side effects far less common and severe. But you may still have these symptoms. If they occur, these tips may help:

  • Have small meals or snacks throughout the day instead of 2 or 3 large meals
  • Drink cool, clear liquids such as unsweetened fruit juices to help calm your stomach
  • Doing something engaging may help distract you from the nausea. Try playing a game, listening to music, or watching a movie

Tiredness: Feeling tired is a common side effect of chemotherapy. The following tips may help with tiredness:

  • Ask others to help you with chores such as shopping, housework, or driving
  • Get plenty of rest and sleep longer at night if you need to
  • For some people, light exercise such as walking may help
  • Limit your activities to those that are most important to you

Hair loss: Also known as alopecia. Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy. The following tips may help with the experience of hair loss:

  • Treatment-related hair loss can be difficult. The emotional support of your loved ones can help during this time
  • If you decide to wear a wig or a hairpiece, ask for help researching the options
  • Try to talk to someone who has had a similar experience. It may help you cope with the changes. Click here to see a list of cancer organizations. Some of them can connect you with another person who is living with your type of cancer

Icon: Targeted therapyRITUXAN (a targeted therapy)

Body: Targeted therapy

Be sure to ask your doctor or nurse what you can do to help minimize possible side effects of RITUXAN. These tips may also help.

Fever, chills, and shaking: These common side effects of RITUXAN usually happen during the infusion. The following tips may help you prepare:

  • The doctor may give you certain medicines before infusions to help reduce side effects. For example, it is common for you to be given acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and diphenhydramine HCI (Benadryl®) before the RITUXAN to reduce side effects
  • Due to the possibility of infusion reactions, the first infusion may take most of the day. But later infusions may take less time. Be sure to schedule enough time for the infusion, and bring activities such as crossword puzzles or a book to help you pass the time This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about your treatment with RITUXAN.
  • Bring an extra sweater to help you stay warm in case you get chills

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

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).
  • Infusion Reactions
    Serious infusion reactions can happen during your infusion or within 24 hours of receiving RITUXAN. Your doctor should give you medicines before your infusion of RITUXAN to decrease your chance of having a severe infusion reaction. If a serious reaction occurs, the infusion may be stopped and you should receive medical care. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms: hives or rash, itching, swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or face, sudden cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or wheezing, weakness, dizziness or feel faint, palpitations, or chest pain.
  • Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS)
    TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells and can occur after treatment with RITUXAN. TLS can cause you to have kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment. TLS may also cause abnormal heart rhythm. Your doctor may give you medicines to help prevent TLS and do blood tests to check you for TLS.
  • Severe Skin and Mouth Reactions
    Severe skin and mouth reactions can occur in patients who receive RITUXAN.
  • Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)
    PML is a rare, serious brain infection caused by a virus. People with a weakened immune system can get PML. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms: confusion or problems thinking, loss of balance, change in the way you walk or talk, decreased strength or weakness on one side of your body, blurred vision or loss of vision.
  • 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 in patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) include: infusion reactions, fever, chills, low white blood cells, infections, body aches, and tiredness. The most common serious side effect in NHL patients was low white blood cells.
  • 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.