Re: Weird reaction to Rituximab....

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I don't have experience with Rituximab but my mom had (for another condition)

and I have read several people's experiences with it.

The reason why a lot of pre-meds are necessary is that Rituximab can cause

allergic reaction especially on the first infusion. That is also why the drip

will be very slow and there will be nurses observing. The moment any sign of

allergic reaction (usually rashes, sometimes breathing or temperature, etc)

appears, they will stop infusion and give more allergy meds (benadryl, etc) and

wait until the allergic reaction subsides and then continue again slowly and

under observation.

After that first infusion, for majority of the people the succeeding infusions

will be event-free and infusion is faster, although nurses and doctors will

still observe.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Rose

From: lexi7434

Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2010 4:12 AM

Subject: [ ] Weird reaction to Rituximab....

Hello everyone.

I have been active on here a lot lately because I was starting rituximab and

checking out what people were saying, most of the posts were pretty positive, so

I agreed to try. Well I had a dose today and I was premedicated with Tylenol,

solumedrol and benadryl but about 4 hours into it, my heart started to race, I

got kind of dizzy,my heart rate and blood pressure went up and the nurses said I

looked really pale and then my head started to itch like crazy and it was a

horrible, tingly itch. They gave me more benadryl, but 4h later when it wore

off, I searched all the rituxan posts and couldn't see this happening to anyone

else. Anyone had anything like this happen to them and did you go back for the

second dose? If so, what happened then. I'm so upset, I was there for 11 hours

and had a complete meltdown when I came home.

Advice anyone?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I don't have experience with Rituximab but my mom had (for another condition)

and I have read several people's experiences with it.

The reason why a lot of pre-meds are necessary is that Rituximab can cause

allergic reaction especially on the first infusion. That is also why the drip

will be very slow and there will be nurses observing. The moment any sign of

allergic reaction (usually rashes, sometimes breathing or temperature, etc)

appears, they will stop infusion and give more allergy meds (benadryl, etc) and

wait until the allergic reaction subsides and then continue again slowly and

under observation.

After that first infusion, for majority of the people the succeeding infusions

will be event-free and infusion is faster, although nurses and doctors will

still observe.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Rose

From: lexi7434

Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2010 4:12 AM

Subject: [ ] Weird reaction to Rituximab....

Hello everyone.

I have been active on here a lot lately because I was starting rituximab and

checking out what people were saying, most of the posts were pretty positive, so

I agreed to try. Well I had a dose today and I was premedicated with Tylenol,

solumedrol and benadryl but about 4 hours into it, my heart started to race, I

got kind of dizzy,my heart rate and blood pressure went up and the nurses said I

looked really pale and then my head started to itch like crazy and it was a

horrible, tingly itch. They gave me more benadryl, but 4h later when it wore

off, I searched all the rituxan posts and couldn't see this happening to anyone

else. Anyone had anything like this happen to them and did you go back for the

second dose? If so, what happened then. I'm so upset, I was there for 11 hours

and had a complete meltdown when I came home.

Advice anyone?