prophylactic meds w Rituxan....Dr Furman?

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr Furman,

Having completed my first weekly tx of Rituxan for AIHA, I'm wondering if I should be on any prophylactic meds? I wouldn't think so, as it targets only CD20 on lymphocytes, but I believe several viral infections have been reported in association w Rituxamab. My HBV surface antigen was negative prior to treatment, but should I be concerned about other viral infections? I also have taken for years acyclovir 400mg qd (for herpes simplex 2). Is this sufficient? My local onc hasn't said anything about prophylactic meds...

Many thanks,

Marcia in CA

[Guest guest]

There are no hard and fast rules for when to start prophylaxis. By

just using rituximab, without steroids, you are probably alright.

The acyclovir should be sufficient. While there are always other

infections that might occur, they very do. Rituximab has a low risk

of infectious complications.

>

> Dear Dr Furman,

>

> Having completed my first weekly tx of Rituxan for AIHA, I'm

wondering if I should be on any prophylactic meds? I wouldn't think

so, as it targets only CD20 on lymphocytes, but I believe several

viral infections have been reported in association w Rituxamab. My

HBV surface antigen was negative prior to treatment, but should I be

concerned about other viral infections? I also have taken for years

acyclovir 400mg qd (for herpes simplex 2). Is this sufficient? My

local onc hasn't said anything about prophylactic meds...

>

> Many thanks,

> Marcia in CA

>