A tip from RISE
Try to sit in chairs that keep your hips above your knees. It'll help put less stress on your joints when you stand up.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Rituxan can result in serious side effects, some of which could 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 include 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.
Please read the Rituxan full Prescribing Information, including the Medication Guide. If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.
WHAT IS RITUXAN?
Rituxan® (rituximab) is a prescription medicine used in adults with another prescription medicine called methotrexate, to reduce the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe active RA, after at least one other medicine called a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor has been used and did not work well enough.
What to discuss with your doctor
Rituxan® (rituximab) has helped many people find the results they've been looking for, but it's not right for everyone. To help you and your doctor decide if it's right for you, review the following questions at your next appointment. Just remember to be open and honest in your discussion. After all, you know your health as well as anyone, and your input can help you and your doctor make a more informed decision.
Questions to ask
- How is Rituxan different from other RA treatments?
- How does Rituxan work?
- What are the key benefits of Rituxan?
- What are the potential side effects of Rituxan, and how do they relate to me?
- What can I expect with treatment?
Points for discussion
Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms or if anyone close to you notices these symptoms after Rituxan treatment. They could be signs of PML, a serious brain infection.
Before receiving Rituxan, tell your doctor if you:
- have had a severe infusion reaction to Rituxan in the past
- have a history of heart problems, irregular heart beat or chest pain
- have lung or kidney problems
- have an infection or weakened immune system
- have or have had any severe infections including:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
- Parvovirus B19
- Varicella zoster virus (chickenpox or shingles)
- West Nile Virus
- have had a recent vaccination or are scheduled to receive vaccinations.
- are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed
- are taking any medication, including all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements
- have any other medical conditions
You should also tell your doctor right away if you or anyone you know notices the following symptoms. They could be signs of PML, a serious brain infection:
- 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 or loss of vision
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