What to note before using rituxan
Rituxan is known to cause a severe brain infection that can cause brain disability or death. According to research, people who have taken an immunosuppressant drug in the past, or have taken Rituxan with a stem cell transplant are more susceptible to this brain infection.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had any of these conditions:
- Heart disease, angina (chest pain) [3], or heart rhythm disorder
- Liver disease or hepatitis [4] (or if you are a carrier of hepatitis B)
- Kidney disease [5]
- A weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicines)
- Lung disease or a breathing disorder
- An infection, such as hepatitis B or C, chickenpox, West Nile Virus, cytomegalovirus, shingles, or herpes [6].
It is also important to tell your doctor if you have taken rituximab in the past or if you have experienced a serious allergic reaction to rituximab.
It would help to be up-to-date on any required immunizations before you start taking rituxan. Let your doctor know if you have taken any vaccines in the past 4 weeks.
Rituxan can cause certain congenital disorders in babies, so it is important to avoid taking them to prevent pregnancy. You can use birth control methods to prevent pregnancy when taking the drug. It would also help to use effective birth control for at least 12 months after you take your last dose. Do not breastfeed a baby while taking this drug. Do not breastfeed a baby for at least 6 months after taking your last dose.
Women who are capable of giving birth should use birth control when taking Rituxan and for more than a year after the last dose.