Rituximab: What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Receiving Rituximab

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving rituximab?

Do not receive this medication if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to rituximab, or if you are allergic to mouse protein.

Before receiving rituximab, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• liver disease or hepatitis B (or if you are a carrier of hepatitis B);
• kidney disease;
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);
• lung disease or a breathing disorder;
• a history of heart disease, angina (chest pain), or heart rhythm disorder; or
• a recent or active infection, including herpes, shingles, cytomegalovirus, or any infection that keeps coming back or does not clear up.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use rituximab, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether rituximab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take rituximab without telling your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from rituximab, causing breathing difficulty or heart rhythm problems.

Last updated:	September 19, 2007