What does Rituxan do for lymphoma?
Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody. It targets a protein called CD20 on the surface of the leukaemia and lymphoma cells. Rituximab sticks to all the CD20 proteins it finds. Then the cells of the immune system pick out the marked cells and kill them.
How long does it take for Rituxan to work for lymphoma?
Rituximab works by lowering the number of these B-cells, to reduce inflammation, pain, swelling and joint damage. If rituximab works for you, you’ll probably notice an improvement in your symptoms 8-16 weeks after you start treatment.
What are the long term side effects of Rituxan?
Does Rituxan cause any long-term side effects?
- heart problems, such as heart attack or ventricular fibrillation (a type of abnormal heart rhythm)
- blockage or tearing of your intestines.
- kidney failure or other serious kidney problems.
- serious infections, such as shingles.
- reactivation of the hepatitis B virus*
How often is RITUXAN given for lymphoma?
Rituxan is administered on a weekly basis for 4 to 8 weeks when it is administered alone. When administered along with chemotherapy, it is usually given on the first day of each cycle of chemotherapy for each of the 6 to 8 cycles.
How often is rituximab given for lymphoma?
You usually have rituximab once every 3 or 4 weeks, although this varies depending on the type of lymphoma you have and any chemotherapy drugs you are having (if any). Most people have up to 8 cycles of treatment.
How often is Rituxan given for lymphoma?
How long can you live with untreated lymphoma?
In the past 10 years, this disease has become easier to treat as more procedures are found to be effective. Overall, 50 to 60 percent of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma now live five years or longer without a recurrence.
Does Rituxan make you immunocompromised?
Medications that weaken the immune system are called immunosuppressants. One medication, called Rituxan (rituximab), can weaken your immune system.