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.
Glossary
A
- anti-TNF
A class of biologic DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) that targets tumor necrosis factor (TNF), one of the chemical messengers involved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
B
- B-cell
A type of white blood cell that is made in the bone marrow, where it matures through different stages into a plasma cell. Plasma cells are involved in fighting infections by producing antibodies that bring about an immune response. Mature B-cells are found within the blood, lymph, and connective tissue
- B-cell targeted therapy
A treatment that selectively reduces the number of B-cells in the blood
- biologic
A biologic is a treatment made from proteins produced in living cells
C
- chronic
Lasting for a long period of time or marked by frequent recurrence
D
- DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs)
A category of drugs used in rheumatoid arthritis to slow down the development of the disease
G
- glucocorticoids
A group of hormones including a series of synthetic products - prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone - often used to temporarily suppress the immune system
I
- indication
Approved use of a drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- inflammation
The reaction of body tissues to injury, such as irritation in the lining of the joints. Inflammation is characterized by pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function
- intravenous (IV) infusion
The placement of a fluid into the bloodstream. The fluid is injected through a catheter - a long narrow tube that has been inserted into a vein - and is pumped in or flows in by gravity
M
- methotrexate
Used in the treatment of RA, methotrexate belongs to a category of drugs known as DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs)
- moderate-to-severe RA
An advanced state of RA often indicated by more intense pain and symptoms, greater difficulty performing daily tasks, and even loss of movement
R
- rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
A chronic disease that occurs when the immune system attacks the bodys joints and other tissues in the body
S
- side effect
An unwanted effect of a drug that is potentially harmful
- symptom
A sign or an indication of a disorder or disease, especially when experienced by an individual as a change from normal function, sensation, or appearance
T
- T-cell
A type of white blood cell found in the immune system that comes from bone marrow and migrates to the thymus gland, where it matures into several types of T-cells before spreading to different parts of the body
